Uptown Westerville is a Place to Honor Community Service

Congratulations to WUMA member, Renee Kropat, of Gallery 202 (38 N. State St., Upstairs).

Renee is the recipient of the Rotary Club of Westerville's 2008 A. Monroe Courtright Award. The Courtright award honors one Westerville resident each year who emulates the principles of community involvement and service that Monroe Courtright lived by daily.

Monroe Courtright, 1977 president of the Rotary Club of Westerville, was the owner/editor of the Public Opinion (now the Westerville News and Public Opinion) -- or as everyone in Westerville referred to it, "the P.O." Courtright put a tremendous effort into supporting the community and Uptown Westerville.

Gallery 202 features local artists (Westerville is home to some tremendously creative people) and focuses on community art and art education for children. The gallery also features an eclectic collection of merchandise in the gift shop. Like the gallery, the gift shop is ever changing, so well-worth a regular visit.

Renee's accomplishments include fueling the energy and creativity of the Uptown murals, the Uptown holiday season window decorating contest, involvement in the Chamber of Commerce Music and Arts Festival and the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association, along with her continuous efforts to support community and art in its spirit and essence.

Speaking of community events, Gallery 202's Think Pink is coming up on May 18th! Click here for more!

To read more about Renee's award, check out Bret Liebendorfer's story in the May 7, 2008 issue of Westerville News and "P.O."

To read more about the A. Monroe Courtright Award, check out the Rotary Club of Westerville's website.