Alton Art Expo   2

Art and Mental Health Unite:
Mooneyham Art, Old Bakery Beer Company, and Centerstone Present

Alton Art Expo 2

Creativity and mental health advocacy return in an inspiring collaboration between Mooneyham Art, Old Bakery Beer Company, and Centerstone. Alton Art Expo is a groundbreaking exhibition and community gathering that highlights the healing power of artistic expression. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 12-7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27, from 12-5 p.m. at The Old Bakery Beer Company, providing an immersive experience where visitors can explore art’s role in mental well-being. The Alton Art Expo will feature a wide selection of art ranging from emerging talent to seasoned professionals.  

Art has long been a tool for self-expression, resilience, and healing. This event creates a welcoming space for artists and art appreciators to engage in meaningful conversations about well-being, creativity, and personal growth.

“Bringing together artists, mental health professionals, and the local community allows us to foster dialogue and break stigmas surrounding mental health,” said Charles Mooneyham, owner at Mooneyham Art. “Art has the power to heal, and we are honored to create a space where people can connect, express, and find support.”  

Mooneyham and his co-curator Stephen Scordias developed the original concept of the Alton Art Expo in 2024/25. This year, Mooneyham Art is proud to announce the addition of Mindy Nickel as co-organizer and curator, and a new location for the expo. Last year, the event was hosted at The Milton School House.  

This year, the event will take place at Old Bakery Beer Company, a staple amongst Alton’s rich and historic topography. Located downtown at 400 Landmarks Blvd., the building is a repurposed microbrewery and event space, transformed for a weekend to feature a vibrant hub of artists, entrepreneurs, and wellness practitioners. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the art exhibitions, view demonstrations, and hear from experts in the mental health field. Guests can also expect an exciting line-up of local musicians, while Old Bakery Beer Company will have all their regular offerings of food and drink available.

Additionally, Centerstone has committed that all donations received will stay in the Alton area to benefit local citizens in need of behavioral health care or essential supplies. The artists will get to keep 100% of their sales, as Mooneyham Art firmly believes artists should never have to give away work for free.  

Event Highlights Include:

• Artwork from 40+ regional artists representing a wide range of creative styles

• Live music featuring local performers throughout the weekend

• Artist demonstrations and opportunities to engage directly with creators

• Conversations and resources focused on mental health and wellness

• Community donations benefiting local needs

• Food and beverages available from Old Bakery Beer Company

 

Music Line-up:

  Saturday, September 26

• Noon: Psychedelic Symphony

• 1pm: Butch Moore

• 2pm: Lauren Waters

• 3pm: Erin Jo & Mila Duffy

• 4pm: Pickin’ Daisies

• 5pm: Matthew Murder

• 6pm: Psychedelic Symphony

 

Sunday, September 27

• Noon: Flying Sickmeiers

• 1pm: Everhart Light

• 2pm: Nocturne String Duo

• 3pm: Paul Niehaus IV

• 4pm: Logan Barnhill

 

About the Partners:

●      Mooneyham Art: Mooneyham Art is dedicated to promoting and supporting local artists through exhibitions, workshops, and community events. By fostering creative expression, Mooneyham Art provides a platform for artists to share their voices and connect with the community.

●      Charles Mooneyham: As the founder of Mooneyham Art LLC, Charles’ journey into the art world was anything but traditional. After surviving an attempt to end his life in 2006, Charles’ passion for behavioral health grew alongside his love for painting, ultimately leading him back to university studies in social work, autism studies, and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and St. Joseph’s University. He later obtained a Registered Behavior Technician license and worked in autism for almost 20 years. During the pandemic, he left the field of autism and became a Clinical Care Specialist for the suicide hotline. His varied experiences helped shape his philosophy that art is more than just a craft; it’s a force for healing and transformation. Through his current gallery, Charles continues to push boundaries, offering rural artists an opportunity to exhibit alongside world-class talent. Charles also conceptualized and founded the Alton Art Expo, an indie art fair designed to normalize conversations around behavioral health, promote artistic expression, fundraise for mental health initiatives, and champion the healing benefits of art. (Bio written by Erin Camfield, director of advancement at Centerstone.)

●      Stephen Scordias: After more than 20 years at a major university, Stephen left academia to fully return to the arts, embracing a passion that had been waiting for the right moment to flourish. Stephen currently serves as co-curator and co-organizer of Mooneyham Art and Alton Art Expo 1 & 2. He is also a resident artist at Mooneyham Art and has been featured in many regional galleries throughout the Midwest.

●      Mindy Nickel: New to the team, Mindy is a local artist in the Riverbend region and operates independently as Stay Weird Crochet, as well as serving as a resident artist at Mooneyham Art and various galleries and fairs throughout the St. Louis Metro region. Additionally, Mindy was instrumental in helping facilitate Old Bakery Beer Company as the 2026 venue for Alton Art Expo 2.

●      Old Bakery Beer: is a certified organic craft brewery and family-friendly restaurant operating in downtown Alton, IL. OBB maintains a mission to offer delicious food and beverages in a safe and welcoming environment while fostering a commitment to social good and environmental sustainability. OBB works to accomplish its mission through several avenues, including its monthly Drink for a Cause program, which gives back to different local charitable organizations each month; in-kind donations to numerous local fundraisers; free event programming; vendor opportunities for local artists; and more. The Alton Art Expo fits perfectly within the brewery’s mission to give back to their local community in a meaningful way.

●      Centerstone: is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. With a network of outpatient clinics, residential programs, and telehealth services across the nation, Centerstone delivers care that changes people’s lives. It also offers specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, children’s services, and employee assistance programs. Centerstone’s Research Institute and Foundation work to advance mental health care through research, technology, and philanthropy.

 

Join Us

Guests can enter the Alton Art Expo for free. Because of the mission of this event, we encourage all attendees to contribute to Centerstone through monetary donation, pet food/supplies, canned goods, or any new essential item. Centerstone representatives will be available to take donations and discuss services as they greet all guests to the event.  Join us on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 12-7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27, from 12-5 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Company for a weekend of art, conversation and community support surrounding wellness. 

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The 2026 Alton Art Expo 2 is dedicated in loving memory to Tai Davis as he was a performer in the first year event.   

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Media Contact:

Charles Mooneyham

Mooneyham Art LLC

305 State Street, Alton, IL

painted1expression@yahoo.com

618-598-6090

www.mooneyhamart.com