Local arts organizations, churches, businesses and government leaders gathered at Butler Middle School on Monday night to discuss the launch of the Butler Rotary Arts and Cultural District.

Leslie Osche, project chairwoman, said the hope of the project would be for the entire community to have a defined place where all things art and culture can be celebrated.

She said the proposed district would include local entities such as Butler Little Theatre, Maridon Museum, Butler Area Public Library, YMCA and other potential venues such as the Butler Middle School.

In the proposed geographic block of North Washington, West Jefferson, North McKean, Charles and North Main streets, signage would be posted marking the district and would be the site of potential exhibits and events for the arts community.

“We are looking at every possible opportunity as art and hoping to create a visual environment initially to generate excitement in downtown,” Osche said.

Tom Edwards, Rotary Club of Butler PM president, mentioned that arts organizations outside the proposed district could be included, as they're hoping to have a central marketing location where community members can see local events.

Bob Dandoy, mayor-elect and a Butler councilman, spoke on what he thought the benefits were to such a district. He said as a member of the arts community and a municipal leader, he sees this opportunity as appealing.

“The idea of an evening in the city where you can walk up and down Main Street and see musicians, actors, painters ... it's very exciting,” Dandoy said. “It raises the quality of life. To have an uplift in the quality of life means people want to come here, stay here and invest here.”

Dandoy also said that bringing more people to the city can increase revenue for local businesses.

Representatives from Slippery Rock University's Institute for Nonprofit Leadership and Butler SUCCEED were present at the meeting and said they would be involved with the project's logistics and coordination, providing a backbone of support for the project's launch.

Osche challenged attendees to interact in the “vision” portion of the meeting, where those attending wrote ideas and brainstormed potential ideas regarding the district.

Some thoughts presented were to have churches host art galleries or concerts and to implement urban gardens in the area.

Osche said the next step in the process is for attendees to sign up for committees and hold a second session for residents in the potential area, and perhaps take a walk of the proposed district to brainstorm more ideas for venues and events.

Osche discussed the possibility of attracting and supporting new artists and business owners with the district, while promoting Butler's existing arts assets. “I've been missing the celebration of diversity here,” Osche said. “I see no better way to enhance opportunities for the community.”

Jeff Geibel, president of Butler Downtown, said the representation of local business owners and arts community members at the meeting presented a nice snapshot of Butler. “I think there's a lot of potential here, and I think it (can be) good for all of us,” Geibel said.