Taylor Soccer Coach Featured in Indianapolis Art Show

Head women’s soccer coach by day, watercolor artist and nature enthusiast in his free time, Scott Stan is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana (WSI). Currently, one of his pieces, Sora Rail, is on display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. It is part of the Watercolor Society of Indiana 41st Annual Juried Exhibition.

A Passion for Painting

Stan started this hobby when he was a kid. “My parents gave me lots of journals, told me to draw things, and to go outside and explore the world,” he said.

About a decade ago, he joined WSI, which holds an annual Juried Show. Artists in WSI may submit up to two pieces for the show, but only one may be selected. An outside artist is hired and selects around 40 paintings to be showcased in the exhibit for that year’s show. To become a signature member of WSI, one must have a painting selected in two separate years. 

One of Stan’s watercolor paintings was picked for the first time four years ago. His piece currently in the show is his second. Being a signature member means he gets to become a well-known Indiana watercolor artist.

Nationally recognized watercolor artist and instructor Karen Knutson selected the exhibition’s paintings this year, which hang in the Bret Waller Gallery at Newfields. The exhibition opened on August 4 and will remain open through September 30.

Inspiration, Business, and Travel

Stan is a birdwatcher, so most of his work (including his exhibition piece) is of birds he has photographed. He also has five watercolor paintings of orchids on display in the greenhouse located in Euler Science Complex on Taylor’s campus.

He sells his work on his website. His best-selling pieces are commissions from anglers who want life-size paintings of the fish they catch.

Stan opened this business about 10 years ago when he realized he wasn’t going to coach for his whole life. He wanted something productive to keep him occupied when he eventually retires. Honing his painting skills has been a stress reliever for him as well as a healthy hobby that he can continue throughout his life.

Sometimes, instead of taking photographs to base his work on, Stan uses art journals that he brings on vacations. “It’s a way to go to nice places and see nice things, but also a way of remembering it that lasts longer than just taking a picture of it with your phone,” he said.

His favorite trip was going to Iceland. Linli Tu, a former Taylor soccer player, was drafted professionally to play for Iceland. Stan and his wife went out to see Tu play, making a whole vacation out of it. Stan spent a lot of his time there drawing and painting.

The Taylor Difference

Stan has coached in many places around the world, so he sees how Taylor stands out from the rest in a fulfilling way. He loves belonging to a community of faith-based identity where students, faculty, and staff get to live that out and share it. He has the chance to make a positive impact on people and vice versa.

He hopes his unexpected hobby will be an inspiration to Taylor students.

“I think it’s good for our students to see that you don’t just have to be a soccer coach…you can do more than one thing,” Stan said. “You can have other interests in your life and be doing more than one thing at the same time.”

See the Exhibit

This exhibit is free to the public at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Let the front reception know you are visiting the watercolor exhibit in the Bret Waller Gallery. The exhibit features 45 local watercolor artists and is only open through September 30th. 

Want to get involved in Taylor athletics or explore your own creative passions in our art program? Schedule a visit!