Heather Galloway Vickers

Heather Galloway Vickers serves as a Senior Lecturer in Art Education within the Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance at Purdue University. With 15 years of post-secondary teaching experience at institutions including the University of Indianapolis and DePauw University, plus eight years of K-12 art education in Indianapolis, she integrates extensive practical knowledge with scholarly inquiry. Her active studio practice exhibited nationally and internationally directly informs her pedagogical approach.

Her academic credentials include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Art History from DePauw University (1989)
• Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Northwestern University (1991)
• Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Indianapolis
• Doctor of Philosophy in Art Education (in progress) from Purdue University

Dr. Vickers' research explores mental health through equine symbolism, where horses represent human resilience and vulnerability during psychological crises. Her series including 'Headwinds I & II' (2019 Indianapolis International Airport exhibition), 'Duality' (addressing bipolar disorder), and 'Kick Off' uses watercolor and charcoal to visualize the sudden onset of mental illness. This work bridges artistic expression with psychological insight, examining how powerful minds can be upended by uncontrollable circumstances.

As an educator, she develops curricula integrating studio practice with critical reflection on mental wellness across all age groups. Her teaching philosophy emerges from both academic training and professional art practice, though specific student advisees aren't documented in the source materials. Current artistic output includes 2025 watercolor works like 'Burst of Gold' and 'Cherry Blossoms' featured on Saatchi Art.