Description
Founded in March 1994 as an all-volunteer and nonprofit arts center in Oconee County, OCAF develops programs and classes in the performing, visual and literary arts. Annual cultural arts festivals, ongoing art exhibits, classes for children and adults, and musical and theatrical performances highlight OCAF's schedule of events. OCAF supports artists and crafts persons in the region by providing a venue for exhibits and sales of artwork and craftwork and by educating the community to increase the interest in the arts.
In 1994, OCAF entered into an agreement with the Oconee County Board of Education to lease a four-room schoolhouse, originally occupied in 1902, located at the end of School Street in Watkinsville. The building, unused for 12 years, had fallen into a state of disrepair. With love and care and a lot of sweat equity, OCAF was able to hold its first major art exhibit to coincide with the 1996 Olympics. Since then, the 1902 OCAF Art Center has become the hub of the Oconee County arts community--full of ongoing exhibits, concerts, performances, arts classes and special events for people of all ages.
In early 2000, OCAF assumed ownership of the 1902 OCAF Art Center, along with the kindergarten building and the old gym from the Board of Education. Both buildings were in need of major repairs and renovations to be used to full capacity. By the fall of 2001, volunteers had transformed 50 percent of the kindergarten building into what is now known as School Street Studios. With the additional space, OCAF's class and workshop offerings increased more than 300%.
Volunteers continue to make renovations on the 1902 building, School Street Studios, and Rocket Hall. Committed to renovating these buildings, OCAF members want to foster the traditions of education and sense of community that this complex of buildings provided for 50 years.
In 1994, OCAF entered into an agreement with the Oconee County Board of Education to lease a four-room schoolhouse, originally occupied in 1902, located at the end of School Street in Watkinsville. The building, unused for 12 years, had fallen into a state of disrepair. With love and care and a lot of sweat equity, OCAF was able to hold its first major art exhibit to coincide with the 1996 Olympics. Since then, the 1902 OCAF Art Center has become the hub of the Oconee County arts community--full of ongoing exhibits, concerts, performances, arts classes and special events for people of all ages.
In early 2000, OCAF assumed ownership of the 1902 OCAF Art Center, along with the kindergarten building and the old gym from the Board of Education. Both buildings were in need of major repairs and renovations to be used to full capacity. By the fall of 2001, volunteers had transformed 50 percent of the kindergarten building into what is now known as School Street Studios. With the additional space, OCAF's class and workshop offerings increased more than 300%.
Volunteers continue to make renovations on the 1902 building, School Street Studios, and Rocket Hall. Committed to renovating these buildings, OCAF members want to foster the traditions of education and sense of community that this complex of buildings provided for 50 years.
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