SIL - Jan/Feb 2019

(an 18-by-24-inch oil on canvas, displayed
in the gallery), is an impressionistic rendering
of the Scott County Fair, with its
ferris wheel and whirl of color.
More than a few of Ryan’s paintings
have become part of downtown Scottsburg.
The City Hall offce of April Ramoni
is home to his “Lake Iola” (a 16-by-20-inch
oil on canvas), which depicts the gazebo
and lake of this Scottsburg landmark. Also
in Ramoni’s offce, “Courtyard at Night”
(another 16-by-20-inch oil on canvas),
captures the way spotlights and lamps illuminate
and complement the courthouse
after dark. Ryan’s art is also displayed in
the offce of the mayor of Scottsburg.
Ryan has played an active role in the
rejuvenation of public spaces throughout
the downtown area. Along with Ramoni,
he took the lead on a mural painted on
the Scott County Heritage Center and
Museum Barn. This mural depicts a scene
from Scott County history — the 1868
train robbery at Marshfield, just north of
Scottsburg, by the notorious Reno gang.
He has also taken the lead on several tomato-themed
paintings created for Scott
County’s “Materfest,” an annual festival
celebrating the county’s agricultural and
canning history, and he has designed
light sculptures and murals for the downtown
revitalization project.
In addition, Ryan gives art lessons to
all ages, and features his students’ work in
the gallery. He is thrilled to be able to offer
exhibition opportunities to so many, since
exhibition can not only be personally validating
but can be an important step in the
development of students who may apply
to art schools or for a job in the art field.
In a small town like Scottsburg, an
art gallery is still a place to build community,
exchange ideas, meet up with friends
and make new connections. It’s a true social
network. Ryan and Kayla Heacock’s
leap of faith has opened new possibilities
for many. •
In a small town like Scottsburg, an art gallery is
still a place to build community, exchange ideas,
meet up with friends and make new connections.
You can learn more about Heacock’s Eastside
Gallery on their Facebook page: facebook.com/
heacockseastsidegallery.
Pictured:
(left hand page, top) mural on Scott County Heriage
Center’s Museum Barn; (left hand page, bottom) Ryan’s
“Water Tower” painting, located in city hall outside of the
Mayor’s offce.
(right hand page, top) Ryan and April helped with the
design of this statue for the Materfest; (right hand page,
bottom) the exterior of Heacock’s Eastside Gallery, located
at 183 East McClain Avenue in Scottsburg, Indiana.
Jan/Feb 2019 • 41