About Us

Opened in November, 2007, Hayley Gallery showcases the original work of over 50 Ohio artisans. In its first year, the gallery was voted “Best Art Gallery” by readers of Alive. The gallery’s soaring picture windows highlight 19 foot ceilings that flow into ella, New Albany’s award-winning restaurant. The name ella is an acronym for ‘eat local love art’.  Local art fills the walls at ella while local food adorns each plate.

Owner - Hayley Deeter

Hayley Gallery has been the culmination of a lifelong dream for New Albany, Ohio resident Hayley Deeter.

Her older sister, a retired art teacher with a Masters Degree in Art Education and formerly the owner of a floral design studio and gift boutique, took Hayley to museums throughout New York City from the time Hayley was old enough to walk. That began Hayley's love of art which blossomed into a personal passion.

After graduating with a Business Degree from Hofstra University, Hayley made a vow to use her savings to purchase one piece of original artwork every year. As a result, she has assembled a serious art collection that was featured in the April 2011 issue of CityScene magazine.

As a relative newcomer to the Columbus area by way of Chicago and New York, she used her connections as an art collector to debut a fundraiser called "Art in New Albany" (AINA). After 25 years as a successful sales and marketing executive for Time, Inc. and CBS/Columbia House in New York City, APAC in Deerfield, IL and Influent in Dublin, OH, the unparalleled success of AINA reignited her desire to own an art gallery.

Adding to her role of gallery owner, Hayley and partner Amy Schottenstein opened ella in December 2011, an exciting restaurant connected to Hayley Gallery. Both Hayley Gallery and ella share a passion for all that is local -- creating a true synergy between food and art.

But by far Hayley's most important role has been that of single parent for the past decade to her two children, now teenagers. She found the love of her life in her husband Curt; the two got married in January, 2013. She indulges in two other passions – travel and SCUBA, whenever she can find the time.

 Gallery Assistant – Megan Blask

 From participating in choral music competitions to starring in musical  theater shows growing up, Megan always found herself involved in the  arts somehow. She soon realized in college that separating her career  goals and creativity was not an option. During her four years at OSU,  Megan spent her time promoting a non-profit musical theater company  and interning at a local record label.

Megan is a 2012 graduate from The Ohio State University with her B.A. in Strategic Communications and two minors in arts entrepreneurship and music, media and enterprise. She spends her free time baking sugary treats to pawn-off on friends and singing too loudly in every room of her apartment.

After growing up in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and going to college in Columbus, Megan is thrilled to have the opportunity to work in a creative environment that supports local art.  

Meet Rory, the official Gallery Dog

In August of 2008, Hayley adopted 4-month old Rory after meeting Amanda Wampler from Adopt Pet Rescue in Westerville. Hayley never thought she could love a dog as much as her beloved German Shepherd Zach who died in December, 2007, but after Adopt Pet Rescue brought Rory to the gallery, she fell in love with those beautiful blue eyes and sweet temperament. Rory, a Dingo mix, is with Hayley and Megan at the gallery almost every day.