SIL - Jan/Feb 2019

One block east of the historic
Courthouse Square in
downtown Scottsburg, Kayla
and Ryan Heacock have carved
out a charming space to celebrate the art
and artists of Scott County. Heacock’s
Eastside Gallery, housed in a trim little
white bungalow that was the local
newspaper offce, is filled with colorful
paintings and whimsical art objects. More
than 30 artists, ranging in age from 3 to 92,
have artwork exhibited here, with many
pieces reflecting the rhythms and raw
beauty of Scott County.
One room of the gallery is reserved
for select shows, changed every six weeks,
that feature the work of artists from across
the region. Recent exhibits have included
“Winter Showcase” by the Floyd County
Critique Club and “Barn Plaques” by Indiana
artisan Dorrel Harrison. An exhibit
featuring new works by the Scott County
Arts Council will open Feb. 15.
The gallery opened in October 2015.
After majoring in fine arts in college, Ryan
landed a job in 1999 that was a practical
blend between art and a career — he
went to work as a tombstone designer
for Fewell Monument Co., where he was
eventually promoted to art director.
“It was a good place for me to be
until 2013, when Terry Fewell, CEO of the
company, died. He was a friend, mentor,
and I thrived under his leadership. The
new corporate sensibility that emerged
after his death was pretty stressful,” Ryan
said.
“Ryan was under a strain, but he
loved making art,” Kayla said. “We were
both ready for a change. That is when we
took our leap of faith and decided to open
the gallery.”
They painted the building, repaired
the plumbing, redid the floors and lighting,
and transformed a vacant offce
building into a cheerful gallery. Artists
brought their work and the community
showed up to see them. Kayla and Ryan
were “overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Ryan and Kayla each have artwork
displayed in the gallery. Kayla makes art
out of recycled tin cans, and her choice of
raw material reflects the important role
of the canning industry in Scott County’s
history.
In her piece “Savannah” (a 4-footby-3-foot
mixed media piece), over 300 tin
can lids are cut and wired together to form
a cross. The work is displayed in front of
a window so that sunlight shines through
the work, bringing it to life. Green, blue
and orange paints are used sparingly, so
the surface retains the marks of the original
material.
Ryan is well-known for his paintings
of scenes of Scott County. “Fair Weather”
Heacock’s Eastside Gallery, housed in a
trim little white bungalow that was the local
newspaper office, is filled with colorful
paintings and whimsical art objects.
Pictured: (top) “Fair Weather” by Ryan Heacock; (bottom) Ryan’s oil painting titled “Courthouse at Night”
Jan/Feb 2019 • 39