May is national Mental Health Awareness month. This is a perfect time to highlight the important role that art plays as a therapeutic expression for all emotions for all people.
This May, Fishers Arts Council (FAC) presents a new exhibit for Fishers residents called “Art that Heals: Focusing on Mental Health.” The exhibit is on display now through May 31 and is expressive, passionate, thoughtful, poignant, and cathartic for both the artists and the viewers. Come explore the variety of creative ways to release your thoughts or find ways to calm your mind. Everyone is on a different journey; however, through art one can find strength and independence that helps direct one on a positive way forward.
“Inside Turmoil” by Caitlin Bischoff (Art provided)
In “Art That Heals: Focusing on Mental Health,” 16 artists share their work with the public, each with a story to tell about the positive effects that their pursuit of art has had on their lives. Their art is both diverse and beautiful – and sometimes troubling as their creations echo difficult times. Their art also shows them working through mental health issues as they created their various works. The mediums they use are as diverse as the art itself and the people who created it.
The exhibit consists of small sculptural pieces, works painted in bright, beautiful oils, and watercolors – especially with a focus on water and the healing properties of water. One artist focused on portraits of people whom she likes and admires. Another artist created large, textured acrylics in a rainbow of colors. Two artists have painted pieces that are continuing and unfinished – and they are asking people who view the art to add their own comments directly onto the canvas. This exhibit is eclectic, fun, colorful, lively – and very much worth a visit to the gallery.
“Love, Marie” by Ashley Marie Meyers (Art provided)
The following artists, some of whom are mental health and health care professionals, are on display in May, hailing from Fishers, Indianapolis, Noblesville, and Greenwood: John Anderson, Caitlin Bischoff, Sydney Brink, Krista Darrow, Shakila Garugu, Liz Hamstra, Ashley Marie Meyers, Caroline Pyle, Elaina Robins, Karissa Rumsey, Mansoureh Sameni, Sven Schumacher, Carolyn Springer, Skye VanWinkle, Ruth Williams, and Tania Michelle Wineglass.
Fishers artist Mark Rouse will join for the Second Friday reception with his own interactive artwork.
This free all-ages monthly celebration will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Second Friday, May 10, at the FAC Hub Gallery, 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers, inside the Hamilton County Community Foundation. Come enjoy live music from Scrapper & Skelton, art with a story, refreshments, and FAC’s Focus on the Artist programming at 6:45 p.m. led by FAC board member Pat Grabill, who will interview artists Karissa Rumsey, ATR-BC, LPC and Caroline Pyle. During the event, you will have the opportunity to meet others who have found solace, comfort, and creativity in their pursuit of art.
The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday gallery visits are by appointment only by contacting FAC directly.
About Fishers Arts Council
Fishers Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to support, advocate, and cultivate visual and performing arts opportunities that educate and/or enhance the lives of those who live, work, and visit Fishers. Visit the FAC art gallery space at the Collaboration Hub at Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers, online at FishersArtsCouncil.org or call (317) 537-1670.