Mission
The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Inc. (OCAF) promotes cultural arts and artists, and provides art education to the citizens of Oconee County and the northeast Georgia area.
Vision
OCAF was created to enrich lives and help build a vibrant community through the arts. OCAF maintains a vision to inspire creativity, learning, and personal growth through visual arts exhibitions, art education, cultural events, and community collaborations.
OCAF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity.
History
OCAF began in 1994 when a group of five individuals—Bob Marable, Peggy Holcomb, Lawrence Stueck, Jerry Chappelle, & Len Woodell (deceased)—had a vision to start an organization in Oconee County to highlight the arts. Since then OCAF has used resources derived from various events to promote the arts and local artists in not only Oconee County, but the Northeast Georgia region. In 1995 OCAF received its 501(c)(3) status, making it a not for profit arts charity.



Facilities
In 1994 OCAF entered into an agreement with the Oconee Country Board of Education to lease a four-room schoolhouse, originally occupied in 1902. The building had been unused for 12 years and was in poor condition. With determination and sweat equity, OCAF volunteers repaired the building and planned for OCAF’s 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 building, along with the nearby kindergarten building (now the School Street Studios) and the old gym (Rocket Hall) from the Board of Education. Both new buildings also needed major repairs and renovations to be used at full capacity. By the fall of 2001, volunteers had transformed 50% of the kindergarten building into what is now known as the School Street Studios, which now houses a ceramic studio, artist studios, and classrooms that are used for OCAF classes and workshops as well as by the art program at UNG.
Facility Rentals
Looking for a space to host your next workshop, meeting, lecture, or special occasion?
OCAF has a variety of spaces available for rent.
Staff
Board of Directors
Executive Board
John Kirschner
Chairman
(Retired, Engineering and Construction – Johnson & Johnson)
Jay Duggan
Vice Chair
(Director, Resource Development
Boys and Girls Club of America)
Ryan O. Hammock
Treasurer
(Pinnacle Bank, Senior Vice President – Middle Market Manager)
Dr. Debra Harden
Secretary
(Educator, Debra Harden Consulting)
Board Members
Jennifer Graff
Associate Professor of Art, University of North Georgia
Scott Hodges
The Adsmith, Designer
Dr. Cyndee Moore
Executive Director UNG (Oconee campus)
Scott Pope
Artist / Owner of the Loft Art Supplies
Dr. Gary Adcox
UNG Director of Campus Success & Strategic Initiatives
Bess Carter
Art Educator, Oconee County Schools
William (Billy) R. Rennie, Esq.
Attorney
Betty Walton
Owner/Operator of Fox’s Pizza
Jim Norton
Artist
Visit
OCAF is located in historic Watkinsville Georgia.
Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Saturday
10am to 4pm
Physical Address
34 School Street, Watkinsville, GA, 30677
A heartfelt thank you to Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) contributors!
OCAF appreciates our supporters and would like to acknowledge contributions of $100 or more received between July 1, 2019 and October 1, 2020.
Sponsorships
ENTHUSIAST




ASSOCIATE

ADVOCATE


Memberships
ASSOCIATE
Charles & Suzanne Murphy
Vickie Moody
Ryan & Jenny Hammock
Gale Sevener
BUSINESS
Very Good Puzzle
Rotary Club of Oconee County
Norton Jewelry
Cindy Karp Realty
Oconee County Tourism & Visitors Bureau
Oconee Natural Healthcare
FRIEND
Dr Cyndee Perdue Moore
Kathy & Al Parker
Larry & Debra Davis
Margaret Spalding
Elberta Prestegard
Martha Moore
Dr & Mrs Bernard & Loretta Wheatley
Michael & Joan Kovach
Rosemary Woodel
Kendell & Tony Turner
Todd Emily & Brandon Reinhart
Christine Langone
Eddie & Josie DePeterse
Bob & Lynn Pease
Bob Marable
Natalie Hull & Peter Hoffer
John Quackenbush
Michael Pitts
John & Audrone Kirschner
Helene Schwartz
Cynthia & Larry Jordan
Pamela Shropshire
Mary Lillie & Ray Watson
Lawrence Stueck & Kathleen McQuiston
Jouh & Jennifer Hadden
Laura & Harris Lowery
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