We will have to wait to actually see the article but here are some of the responses to questions presented to our artists and community members.

- Focusing on supporting the arts has some obvious, concrete benefits to the community - increases tourism, adds to their marketing "package,"brings in art-related business, etc. What about the more aesthetic or intrinsic benefits/values to Westerville?

"The tourism and "marketing" benefits are important, but the benefits to the city go well beyond these monetary benefits. Instilling another form of expression within a child is the benefit of most interest to me. Gallery 202 provides education for children beyond the school walls, and the richness of our children's education is what provides lasting value for a community." Mike Heyeck, past Mayor

-  In my experience, education plays a huge role in persuading people to come onboard a project. How has that played out w/ Westerville's community leaders, business people, educators, and other non-artists?

"This has been the case for Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc.   We have definitely made it a goal to educate the community about the programs and projects we are doing.   The make-up of our board is a good example.   When adding members to our nonprofit board, we have sought to include people from all different areas of the Westerville community.   Our board members include individuals with backgrounds in the arts, banking/financial services, nonprofit, and marketing fields as well as small business owners and private citizens. These board members then share their knowledge of Gallery 202 with others in their respective areas of the community. " Amy Staufenberg, gallery artist and board member

-  Funding for the arts has taken a serious hit in the last few years. As a community leader and elected official, do you see this or other problematic barriers to promoting the arts in your city?

Funding has been and will continue to be a challenge for the Arts community just as it is for many not-for-profits in our community.   Gallery 202, Partners in Art and the Westerville Arts Council give visibility to visual arts, music, and performing arts to help with funding efforts.   As the city's capacity to directly fund the Arts is limited the emphasis is on promoting public-private partnerships and assisting in finding venues for artwork and art related events. Diane Fosselman, Mayor

- Do you see any barriers or hurdles that might impede your/their efforts?

The sky is really the limit and I think it all can't happen fast enough in a way - time is important.   The gallery needs to continue its efforts to be seen as a viable, thriving business to the business community.   And, I do think the gallery needs to broaden its funding efforts, but that process has started to happen.   It's this odd juxtaposition of keeping a toe-hold in reality, but seeing no limits.   This gallery is an excellent example of what can be done if you know you cannot fail.   Linda J. Foor, Brickstreet Communications, Board Member

What or Who is Gallery 202

Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc. is a 501.c3 community arts organization.  (We are a charitable organization as deemed by the federal gov't - of course meaning donations are well received!)
But let’s look at the organizational chart of services so to speak. First there is  
A.  The physical Space - happens to be located at 38 N. State St.
B.  Then there is the conceptual space - all else

Conceptual space is what we are in the community:
1. Arts Westerville - developing the concept that Westerville is a Creative Cultural Community.  This is a new direction/program for us and is still in the strategic beginning planning stages.
2. Community Connectivity - are our websites that link artists and organizations together -  these were created and maintained by Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc.
    www.visitwesterville.com   - about what and where you can find in our creative cultural community
    www.westervilletoday.com  - a community calendar
    www.uptownwesterville.org - our "neighborhood"website for our best tourist area in Westerville.
    www.gallery202online.com - of course our main website that is everything - a company journal so to speak!
    Artists/Business lists - we provide lists for organizations to use of local artists/businesses
3. Community based programs - include but not limited to schools (PTA Reflections), Other businesses involvement (Holiday Windows and Scarecrows), Special events (Chair is Art) and NOW bringing performances to the gallery with Breakfast with the Arts.
4. Community professional development - attendance/joining to various organization such as Chamber, chairing events, Rotary Westerville art league, etc.  

 
The Physical Space at 38 North State St., Uptown Westerville
Is divided in to FIVE areas.
Workshop/classroom space - open to any businesses/patrons etc for any need up to a certain number of people depending on what they may do.  Classes are about 10-20,  general lectures up to 70.  We have art classes sure but also our space has  been used for team meetings, educating people about computers etc.
Gift Shop - special program to allow artists to showcase /sell their work in a very safe environment for many and also not required them to over produce.  Great learning opportunity.
Reference Library - We are stocking our shelves with a variety of reference material for any artists, patron, student to peruse through.
Exhibit Area - rotating exhibits that emphasize the community and individual artists.  
Member Artist - group of artists who participate in the development of the gallery by leasing space, showing/selling their work.

From a budding artist and winner of PTA Reflections - Westerville had one national-level winner in 2004-5: Amy Cox from Mark Twain Elementary, who won an award of excellence in the primary division (preschool-grade 2) for her work of literature titled "Art Teacher."

"I had an empty space.
It wasn't joyful.
There was no color, the world was boring.
Then I discovered art and filled the empty space
with clay, paint, chalk, crayons and ink.
The teacher filled my mind with ideas, projects and fun.
And I never had an empty space again."