Brush strokes of talent and history line the walls at Gallery 202 . It is seen and felt the moment you walk through the gallery doors. The artwork is that of many voices—from paintings to sculptures—and it speaks to every person in different ways. Whether you are an art enthusiast or just curious, you cannot help but marvel as you stroll through the rooms of the historic Clouston Hall, located in downtown Franklin's art district at 202 2^nd Avenue South. It is truly something so special to behold.

Gallery 202 is more than just an art gallery—it's a reflection of creativity, community and passion of the artists. Behind the gallery is a visionary whose journey began with mural painting in Alabama. With a deep appreciation for both art and history, Kelly Harwood has given Williamson County a place where creativity is celebrated. We gained a deeper understanding of Kelly's artistic beginnings, the story behind Gallery 202, and the vision that continues to shape its legacy through our recent interview. 

Can you tell us about yourself and how you became to be an artist? 

Since childhood, I have been the creative spirit! I am originally from Alabama, where I painted murals, faux finishes and artwork for Interior designers. I moved to the Nashville and Franklin area thirty years ago and focused on painting and selling my artwork. I am married to a wonderful man named Ira, and we have two dogs named Bosco and Hudson. Besides art, my other passion is vintage cars. I won't mention how many I have because Ira may read this...

Tell us the story behind Gallery 202? 

Being an artist myself, opening a gallery had been a pipedream for many years—looking at possible locations but not finding that special place. When Clouston Hall became available, once we saw it and its potential, we knew that this was it. Ira and I decided to take the plunge along with a lifelong friend, Jim McReynolds, and off we went on this wonderful, exciting adventure.

What makes Gallery 202 unique? 

A unique aspect of the gallery is that it is located in a wonderful historic building circa 1821. Edward Clouston built Clouston Hall and is a fine example of Federal style architecture. The building underwent a total restoration in 2002/2003, and we purchased it in 2010 with the intent to open as an art gallery…which has turned out to be a wonderful experience.

How do you select the artists and artworks that are showcased? 

The gallery receives numerous artists' submissions throughout the year, which we welcome because you never know what type of artwork you will be presented with. It's quite exciting to meet artists from all over the Southeast and beyond. The challenge is seeing so much great work with limited exhibition space. We usually look for artwork that keeps the gallery diverse in its representation and carries on the overall theme of the gallery.

How has the gallery evolved?

The gallery started with a few artists that we knew personally and had collected their work. In an attempt to gain some attention, we did purchase a collection of Andy Warhol's work from the Cowboy and Indian series, which was exciting. Having Warhol's work here in the gallery garnered quite a bit of attention and helped greatly put us on the radar. As time passed, we realized we wanted our focus to be primarily on local and regional artists, which has proven to be a great asset. 

What's next for Gallery 202? 

With the continued growth of our community and folks seem to like supporting local artists, we will continue fulfilling our dream and the dream of our artist and continue this journey.