On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to write this letter in support of The Hub on Canal.

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2 Serving New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater & Oak Hill for Over 80 Years! January 14, 2013 To Whom It May Concern: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to write this letter in support of The Hub on Canal. The Hub on Canal has provided additional appeal and yet another wonderful cultural opportunity in New Smyrna Beach and surrounding communities by complimenting our established artistic cultural members such as Atlantic Center for the Arts, Arts on Douglas, Harris House, Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach, Artists Workshop, Clay Gallery, Galleria Di Vetro, Palms Up Pottery, and the Cuchetti - Conti Family School of Music. The Hub has provided space to working artists and business people who provide showcases and demonstrations. As a result, they have created new retail and business opportunities and thereby added an additional layer of interest to the Historic Downtown area for tourists and shoppers, alike. The community s request for the historic downtown shopping district to stay open into the evening hours to enhance the ambience of the area has been fulfilled by The Hub. With all the classes, workshops, and events that The Hub offers, they give plenty of reasons for people to come to the Historic Downtown Shopping District, and the participants of all their programs have ample opportunity to shop and eat in the existing businesses and restaurants. This concept and plan has added a lot of activity and a considerable number of people feet on the street and lights on at night all while contributing to the boost in our local economy. The Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce is pleased with the results of The Hub and looks forward to its growth in years to come. Sincerely, Samantha Bishop Executive Vice President 115 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL Phone: ! Fax: ! sevinfo@sevchamber.com!

3 ----- Original Message From: To: Cc: Director Council Sent: Saturday, June 14, :48 PM Subject: Thanks so much! Dear Sally, Thank you so much for sharing your accomplishments with TheHub on Canal. You certainly have created a jewel in New Smyrna Beach's downtown and a vibrant environment for artists. It has the feel of a collaborative or cooperative, but a wiser organization structure. I took copious notes and we learned a lot especially the five things to do well. 1) identify a building; 2) work with artists to sell them on renting studio space; 3) work with the community for support; 4) work to get political support; 5) secure your finances. And more: Do something to make you different from others. Network with other arts institutions. We have a lot of work to do to define and build community support for our cultural arts center. Listening to your story about how you were able to grow TheHub into a dazzling atelier cum gallery cum classrooms with bigtime buzz was inspiring. Thanks for taking the time with us; and bigger thanks for all the encouragement. We will stay in touch. With best wishes, Susan Grandpierre and Barbara Hoffman Cultural Council of Indian River County

4 Letter to the Editor, I want to inform your readers of the exciting opportunity the HUB on Canal has been providing to young artists at New Smyrna Beach High School. The HUB on Canal is a community in New Smyrna Beach that fosters art, education and business. Carved our of an historic building that was once the Palace Theatre, this ultra-modern facility represents over 60 artists and includes galleries, studios, classrooms, meeting places, shopping and more. It opened its doors in March 2012 and is home to working artists that represent a multitude of mediums. Suzanne Hull and I (both retired teachers from the school) have been serving as liaisons between the HUB and the high school for over a year. In that time more than 120 art students have had an opportunity to show their photos, sculptures, pottery, paintings, drawings and prints in this beautiful venue, and I am thrilled to report that in the past 15 months approximately 40 student artists have sold their works to locals and tourists! I have traveled all around the country visiting museum, galleries and artist co-ops, and I must say that the HUB is one of the most gorgeous settings for local artists to demonstrate, teach and sell their work! I grew up in New Smyrna Beach, graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School and taught there my last 6 years. I am extremely proud of area, the high school's art program and the artists in the area. As an important small art town, I'm delighted the city can boast of having an amazing venue for the art that is constantly being created in this beautiful part of our country. The legacy will continue because the HUB has graciously reached out to the young artists in the community, insuring the future of New Smyrna Beach's legacy as a top art town!

5 Sincerely, Kathy Hardock-Bohman