The Hart Gallery is not only transforming the lives of homeless and disadvantaged individuals by providing an opportunity for each participant to create a livelihood through art, it’s also contributing to the surrounding community.
“It’s so different than I thought it would be,” said Ellen Heavilon, who opened the gallery with her husband, Jay, in October. “It’s got a will of its own and has become much more of a community-based center that helps with the individuals’ entire lives.”
Volunteers and artists build community garden boxes at the Hart Gallery. From left are Jay and Ellen Heavilon, Kyle Schaefer, Ayda Castro, Zach Cooper, Billy Broom, John Kilgore, Seija Ojanpera and Nestor Velasquez.The gallery recently built raised boxes that will be part of a community garden. Heavilon will invite Southside neighbors to help plant vegetables as well as flowers near the end of April. She said they will be using natural manure and fresh black soil to fill the beds.
One of the homeless artists featured in the gallery walked from Brainerd to the Southside in the rain to work with other volunteers on the garden boxes. John Kilgore said he will make the walk again to help with planting.
“I love [the gallery],” said Kilgore, who has sold two paintings so far. “I think it’s excellent. My art’s not ever been in a gallery.”