About Blank Canvas Gala Honorees
Heidi Kleinman and Ted Ross
When the West Windsor Arts Council was voted into existence back in 2002, it happened at Heidi Kleinman and Ted Ross’ dining room table. That was just the beginning of their long and fruitful involvement with the development of this community resource.
The couple chose to move to West Windsor in 1998 from Belgium in order to raise their family in a community made up of people from around the globe. As civic-minded individuals, when the call came to establish an art center, they immediately raised their hands and got involved.
Being a licensed architect and artistically inclined, Heidi’s passion for the arts led her to join the founding board, use her skills to infuse the arts center designs with personal and artistic touches, and even to serve in public office in order to help fulfill the arts council’s mission. Ted used his skills as a businessman to review documents, interview potential employees, and also served on the Film and Concerts committee. As a self-taught woodworker, he has also donated his time and materials to build several pieces for the arts center like the credenza at the office window, the Pantone and music note coat hangers, the Little Free Library, and most recently the new artisan display cabinet. Over the years their involvement has remained constant and they have served as valuable advisors, donors, and volunteers for whatever needed doing.
Whether loaning a truck or providing high-level expertise, these two have demonstrated without a doubt their commitment to the promise of the arts to build stronger and more cohesive community.
Thank you Heidi and Ted for your amazing service!
Heidi Kleinman and Ted Ross are an amazing team. Always fun, lively, and ready to host a large gathering around their dining room table (made by Ted, of course), Heidi contributed her amazing architectural skills pro bono when the old Princeton Junction firehouse was converted to an arts center. She filled it with her whimsical touches, such as tiles depicting the arts on the bathroom walls. When the exhibition committee requested a stand to put artist materials on, Ted crafted a magnificent credenza–and didn’t bat an eye when the office decided to take it for a display case near the front door. A couple of summers ago I thought wouldn’t it be cool to have a Little Free Library outside the arts center; I mentioned this idea to Ted, and voila, a magnificent little library right near the front door. Most recently visitors to the arts center have seen the amazing jewelry display case he made for the shop. Heidi famously coined a word for all the tasks she, and others, assigned to Ted: voluntold. Thank you, Heidi and Ted, for all the wonderful gifts you’ve given, and continue to give, to the West Windsor Arts Center over the years!
Congrats to you, Heidi and Ted, for this recognition. I’ll always remember Ted calling himself a voluntold because you told him to volunteer. Plus the stacking of chairs after events. And all those rainstorms that just seemed to appear whenever we were having an event behind Panera. So many great memories. Chuck and I miss you both. And remember those totally fun parties at Kickstart!!