Indianapolis, Indiana, Artistic Exhibit Embraces Indiana

A picture paints a thousand words. The beauty of art is that an artist can provoke emotion with several brush strokes. For each person who views the painting the feelings and memories will be unique. Indiana is home to many extraordinary artists like T.C. Steele. At the Indiana Historical Society we explored one of the many wonderful exhibits called The Art of Healing.

The Art of Healing took us back to explore the work of sixteen prominent Indiana artists including T.C. Steele, Carl Graf, Otto Starke. These artists contributed to a mammoth project 1914 resulting in an estimated quarter mile of artwork. Hidden within the confines of one of the nation's oldest county hospitals in Indiana were a series of historic and unprecedented of mural paintings.

A painting can take you back to happier days. The Wishard art collection of murals originally celebrated the opening of the new wings for patients within the hospital. Artists who worked on this extensive creative project also slept and ate at the hospital. What they created were priceless pieces of art that helped lift the spirits of patients. Project supervisor and famous Hoosier artist William Forsyth regarded this work as "the most ambitious and monumental work yet undertaken by Indianapolis artists." Artists represented in the collection include William Forsyth, Wayman Adams, William Edouard Scott, J. Ottis Adams and T.C. Steele.

The exhibit raised awareness of the restoration needs to preserve these timeless pieces of art. Patrons who visit the History Market gift shop in the Indiana History Center continue to support the project. Each tax-deductible donation or purchase of calendar