Indianapolis, June 20, 2011 –There is a longstanding connection between art and mental illness, treatment and recovery. The  Inside/Out – The Art Within, an art show featuring the works by outsider artists from Midtown Community Mental Health Center, will be open to the public on Saturday, June 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Sunday, June 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will be held at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., in Fountain Square just southeast of downtown Indianapolis.
Approximately 100 pieces from 20 to 25 artists will be available to view and purchase with ceramics, cards from the Glad Writings Card Shop and various art from the art studio group being featured. An assortment of oils, water colors and charcoals will be showcased, making the perfect accent to a home or office décor. The art show kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25 with a complimentary spaghetti dinner followed by ice cream. Live music will be provided by David Meek and fellow musicians from The Church Within. The following day on Sunday, June 26, the show concludes with an art viewing. 
"By creating and talking about art, individuals increase self-awareness, management of mental health symptoms and better learn how to cope with traumatic experiences and the stress of daily living; while enjoying the life-affirming strength found through the process of creating art," said Nichole Hall-Permell, art therapist at Midtown Community Mental Health Center.
Inside/Out – The Art Within, which benefits the Art Program of Midtown Community Mental Health Center, will feature the display and sale of works by Midtown artists.  Artists will also be on hand to meet and discuss their works with attendees. 
Outsider artists have gained much deserved recognition over the last 25 years.  The artists themselves are not trained in traditional art forms, which leaves them free to express themselves in the manner in which they choose.  Their work is both inspiring and visually exciting. Outsider art can include drawings, paintings, pottery, sculpture, photography and other media and is also known as self-taught art, art brut, tramp art and prison art.
Midtown Community Mental Health Center, a division of Wishard Health Services, was established in 1969 as the first mental health center in Indiana. Midtown’s philosophy of care stresses strength-based, family- and community-centered treatment.  Care decisions are team-based and emphasize family and patient participation.