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"Before that, all of my jobs had to do with kids and for me to go into something that was not kid oriented was sort of a different thing for me."

She moved to Charlotte and fell in love with NoDa. "I decided it was time for me to get back into the real world," she says. "I wanted to open my own design center and I knew I couldn't do it from home."

But an art gallery?

She says it's something she just fell into. In her design office, which was located near the Center of the Earth gallery, Hertzler realized that local artists needed some place to show their work. She had one wall that allowed her to let the artists display their stuff.

By the end of her first year at her office, she'd moved to the current Green Rice location.

In the five years that Green Rice Gallery has been open, Hertzler has been the launching pad for many in the city. The up-and-coming, urban-flavored art collective God City had one of their first big shows at Green Rice. It was a hip-hop exhibition that no one else wanted.

"We're approachable," she says. "I think people feel comfortable coming in here. We're really trying to get fun, unique and eclectic things out to people."

Party with the Women Who Rock

To coincide with this week's issue, which honors rocking local women, CL is hosting a special "Women Who Rock" party.

Going down at Loft 1523 (1523 Elizabeth Ave.) June 25 at 6 p.m., the party is our chance to award the six women profiled in this article -- and more than six other dynamic dames -- with actual, tangible awards in a casual setting. And it's your chance (dear readers) to just have a good time.

Along with the awards, this event will also feature an exhibition of photography by Moye (who is mentioned in this article), music by DJ "That Guy Smitty," drink specials and more. And admission is free.