Original can be found at:http://www.snponline.com/articles/2009/12/23/westerville_news_and_public_opinion/schools/wereflecti_20091223_1247pm_3.txt

Reflections entries on exhibit at Uptown's Gallery 202
* Students were to express the theme "Beauty is ..." in their entries of all types in the annual art program.
By LISA AURAND
Published: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 1:16 PM EST

Westerville students painted, photographed, sang, wrote and danced their ideas of beauty for this year's Reflections art program.

Artwork of all types expressing the theme "Beauty is ..." are on display this month at Gallery 202 in Uptown Westerville.

The program, initiated by the national Parent Teacher Association, challenges students to create art in one of six areas inspired by the theme, said local co-chairwoman Ellen Stadler.

Works can be dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, or visual arts.

The district had around 200 entries from preschoolers through eighth-graders, Stadler said.

"They're very good. We've got a lot of nice artwork," she said as she sorted through all the entries and prepared to give out awards.

"We had a lot of nature, and a lot of ocean scenes that were very nice."

Gallery 202's space, above Amish Originals at 38 N. State St., is filled with photographs of nature and colorful paintings and collages.

Literature entries are fanned out on a table in the center of the display. A sideboard pushed up against a wall holds the music entries, which can be played on a stereo nearby.

On a Wednesday afternoon, Mark Twain Elementary School second-grader Katie Palmer, along with her mother and sister, visited the gallery to see her work, Friendship, which was awarded a second place honorable mention in the visual arts primary division.

Her piece features five people of different races holding hands. Mediums used include marker, fabric, stickers, foam and paper.

"It's kind of fun to see the creative ones, the ones that are a little different," said Stadler, whose two children -- a Walnut Springs Middle School student and a Central College Elementary School student -- both participated in this year's contest.

"I think it gives them a chance to try something they wouldn't have tried otherwise."

Reflections will be on display through Jan. 9 at Gallery 202, 38 N. State St.

Gallery 202 will be open Wednesdays from noon-6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from noon-4 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 a.m. The gallery will be closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.

Gallery owner Renee Kropat said that it will also be open at other times by appointment so that family who are in from out of town can view the children's artwork.

Call 614-890-8202 or e-mail renee@gallery202online.com to schedule an appointment.