Muncie’s Moth Danner
Muncie’s art scene is full of influential characters and events. One of the more well-known residents is a woman known by the name Moth Danner. A 7th generation native, Moth has seen Muncie go through its changes. Growing up in a bookstore fueled her with a desire for literature and art. In one video interview, she said that growing up she would grab any book at arm’s reach and read. Her favorite? The play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. She was enamored by Titania’s fairy court which would become useful later in life. Coming of age in Muncie’s 80’s punk culture, she was part of the alternative scene. When she wasn’t finding hidden shows in abandoned buildings she was experimenting with self-image. These people skills led to her professional life as an IU graduate with a degree in Psychology and an ordained priest.
Moth and her mother Susan
She gave herself the name Moth while doing performance art in New York City to allow herself to flee in secrecy from the police during shows. The idea was struck when a fellow artist, friend, and Shakespeare lover shared a show with Moth. They chose names from the fairies in Titania’s court which included Moth, Cobweb, Peaseblossom, and Mustardseed. Cobweb was too Goth so Moth chose Moth. The name stuck and has followed her ever since.
Like Titania, Moth knows where her court stands. Her punk friends aka freaks were acquired due to the alternative and body mod scene of the punk groups of Muncie. Regardless of which scene she is in, Moth is a welcoming face in Muncie. This is due to her grassroots ideals and efforts to encourage small businesses and the arts.
She is a board member on the Muncie Arts and Culture Council; creator of the Muncie Makers Market, Sunday Stitch n’ Bitch, Cuplet poetry night; current head of YART; and previous owner of Dominion nightclub and vintage clothing store Savoy; and co-owner of Danner’s Bookstore (sadly, all of these shops have been closed). Alongside Minnetrista’s Farmers Market on Saturdays Moth’s Muncie Makers Market has helped weave together the community. She got the idea for a makers market when she and her mother began making and selling pies in a nearby town’s market. Moth saw an opportunity for something Muncie needed.
Only homegrown sellers and handmade wares are allowed. A similar concept came with YART, a program Moth inherited from Ball State Art students that started in the 1970′s, a twice a year massive maker’s market focused on selling local art.
Whether she is creating a space for a vent session at The Cup’s Bitch n’ Stitch or seen orchestrating another great happening, Moth combines the alternative scene with a grassroots ethos to shine another great light on Muncie.
Organizations Moth is a part of:
Muncie Makers Market- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627047027524961/
YART- https://muncieyart.tumblr.com/
Muncie Arts and Culture Council- http://munciearts.org/
Stitch n Bitch- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472977992921700/
Cuplet- Every 4th Sunday of Every month at The Cup
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIp-pBih8ag
https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/2017/05/09/muncie-local-makes-market-reality/97890266/
https://www.bookweb.org/news/danners-books-muncies-independent-bookstore
https://munciearts.org/2019-board-of-directors-elections/