Alton Art Expo highlights art’s healing power for mental health

The atmosphere at the Old Bakery Beer Company was thick with creativity and conversation this past weekend as the Alton Art Expo turned its focus toward the intersection of imagination and emotional wellness. A collaborative effort between Mooneyham Art, Centerstone, and the venue, the event served as more than just a gallery showing. By blending works from over 40 regional artists with insights from mental health professionals, the expo highlighted how picking up a brush or a camera can often be as restorative as traditional therapy.

For many of the exhibiting artists, their work acts as an essential release valve for the stresses of daily life. Mixed-media artist Gray Finch described art as a vital channel for well-being that allows him to step outside of himself, while Quincy painter Corey Rouse noted that for some creators, art is a necessity to avoid losing their grip on sanity. This sentiment was echoed by Tonetta Fredrickson, who draws inspiration from nature and animals to find her calm place and project happiness onto her canvases.

The perspective shifted slightly when discussing the source of inspiration, with photographer Adam Wayne suggesting that some of the most powerful art emerges from darker experiences. He explained that his lens allows him to channel negative energy into something positive and productive. Similarly, Mindy Cooke emphasized that transferring internal feelings onto a physical medium is a beneficial way for people to process complex thoughts and physically remove tension from their bodies.

These benefits weren’t reserved solely for adult professionals, as evidenced by young attendees like Sadie and Sierra Ezell. Their mother observed that eleven year old Sadie specifically utilizes art as a coping mechanism to manage her anxiety. Through these diverse stories across all age groups, the expo successfully demonstrated that whether through professional galleries or simple sketches in a notebook, artistic expression remains one of our most accessible tools for maintaining mental health.