STATE SENATOR
C. J. Prentiss
Republican

Office 
Ohio Senate, 21st District

Legislative Committees
Finance and Financial Institutions; Economic Development, Technology and Aerospace (Ranking Minority); Education; Health, Human Services and Aging

Years in Office
17 years (6 years on State Board of Education; 8 years as State Representative; 3 years as State Senator)

Personal
Hometown, Cleveland; married, 2 children

Education
BA and masters in education, Cleveland State University; Post-graduate work, Kent State University; Advanced Management Program, Case Western Reserve University.

Recent Honor
Award for public service from State Board of Education

Favorite Cultural Pastime
Gardening

Favorite Artists
The Cleveland Orchestra

Gallery for Young People in Dayton opened in 1993, serving 1,100 children with an operating budget of $2,500. After teaching art in the Dayton Public Schools, founder and executive director Jerri Stanard recognized the talent of her students and the need for that talent to be nurtured and encouraged. She started an after school arts program for low income, inner city youth, which has grown into a thriving arts organization that serves children of all ages and backgrounds.

With support from the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, stakeholders, foundations and private corporations, K12 has developed innovative arts programming that helps students build self esteem, stretch their creativity and develop a sense of community and belonging. In addition to after-school programs, K12 offers weekend classes and activities, community outreach programs and summer art classes.
   
K12 places a strong emphasis on gallery display of completed work. Young artists participate in selecting, mounting, organizing and hanging art. "The experience rounds out an art education that too often stops at the creation of a piece," Stanard said. Young artists also earn a 50 percent commission on works they sell, which helps build confidence and encourages the creation of new works. Through K12's programs children work with local professional artists and learn about art and its value to the community.

K12 has grown from a small grassroots project to an organization that serves close to 19,000 children. Thanks to a $100,000 donation from the Western Ohio Division of Time Warner Cable, K12 is renovating a 3,000 square foot facility in downtown Dayton, which will house gallery and studio space. The renovation will be completed in late November. With the new space, K12 hopes to expand its reach and continue its mission of inspiring young artists to create, imagine and grow.