A new art gallery near the Old Southside neighborhood is all the buzz — literally.
The Kut Gallery, owned by Devin Richardson and AJ Vinson, opened in June as a place where original art meets grooming. Community members can visit the Black-owned gallery to view artwork while also getting a trim.
“Everybody has a story and I feel like The Kut Gallery allows you to have that story,” Richardson said.
Last month, the gallery partnered with Patchwork Indy, a local immigrant welcome center, to host its first exhibit featuring artists from Afghanistan, Ecuador and Haiti. That included Armin Jamal, a 10-year-old painter who lived in Afghanistan until he was 7. He and his family fled the country after receiving threats from the Taliban. Jamal creates paintings based on his parents’ stories of resilience in order to reclaim and honor their culture.
“It’s really calming and it tells peoples’ stories without even having to talk to them,” said Jamal, who was proud to see his work hanging in front of the barber chairs.
Over the past year, Jamal’s paintings have been about immigration, nature and freedom, and he was excited to share stories with others at The Kut Gallery.
“I was really proud of myself and my artwork and people cheering me on,” Jamal said.
Style and storytelling
The Kut Gallery’s partnership with Patchwork Indy grew out of the owners’ determination to provide community members with a safe space to tell their own stories.
Richardson, known as “the Dr. of Barbering” because of his initials, still remembers chopping off his little sister’s ponytails while they played barbershop when he was about 12 years old.
But that botched haircut didn’t stop his career.
Growing up on the east side of Indianapolis, Richardson didn’t always have money for a haircut, and although he didn’t know how to use hair clippers, he started lining himself up when he was 16. His talent grew after practicing on his neighbors and older brother, who was less than pleased when Richardson accidentally cut off his mustache.
Over time, Richardson garnered a reputation as a reliable, charismatic and trustworthy barber.
“When I get out of the chair, I never look at my hair, I don’t even worry about it,” said Tyler Donald, one of Richardson’s longtime customers.
Donald has visited Richardson nearly every Saturday for the past 13 years to make sure his hair and beard stay on point. But Donald said he goes for more than just a trim. He thinks of Richardson as a brother who’s helped him through tough situations, from navigating his divorce to deciding whether he should get a new car.
“No matter what issue I may have, I can tell you that I typically go to him before I will go to a few of my friends,” Donald said. “I know his advice is solid because he’s coming from a place of not what I want — he’s not about that. It’s about what makes sense and looking out for me in the long run.”
The Kut Gallery hopes to host another exhibit with Patchwork Indy in February 2026. It also plans to showcase new pieces every two months, in addition to selling vinyl records and candles.
Artists can stop by the shop or email thekutgallery@gmail.com if they want to submit their work.
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on Facebook at Elizabeth Gabriel, Southside Reporter and on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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