Camp Stool Project

From November 4th – 20th, an art exhibit at Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) in Watkinsville, will feature 22 stools from the YWCO girls’ residential camp.  The YWCO reached out to local artists and asked them to turn one of the camp stools into a work of art.   Members of the community, former Y campers, and friends of the YWCO will have an opportunity to purchase the camp stools during an online silent auction benefitting the YWCO’s Summer Girls Club. The online auction will be held November 16th- 20th.

Kitty Meyran, CEO of the YWCO, and former YWCO Jennie Arnold Edwards camper and counselor came up with the idea for the Camp Stool Project when it became apparent the YWCO would have to postpone its fall Murder Mystery Dinner fundraiser until sometime in 2021due to COVID-19.

Girls who attended YWCO Summer Camp either at the Jennie Arnold Edwards Camp on Jennings Mill Road, or the YWCO Camp in Habersham County have fond memories of the camp stools, which were brought back to Athens when the YWCO sold the camp in Habersham County.  The camp stools were perfect for plopping down to visit with friends, climbing on to reach a top bunk, standing on to get everyone’s attention, sitting on during arts & crafts, and so much more.  Patti Smith, local artist, and former Y camper volunteered to share her artistry and vision for two of the stools saying, “These old stools hold so many of my sweetest memories, and they will be painted with all the love in my heart.”

“We are excited to be working with OCAF Director, La Ruchala Murphy, who not only is one of the participating artists, but also is helping stage the Camp Stool Project exhibit at OCAF,” said Meyran.  OCAF is located at 34 School Street in Watkinsville.  The exhibit is free. Proceeds from the silent auction support YWCO Girls Club, an educational and recreational summer day camp for girls from low-income families.

The YWCO, a non-profit health and recreation center, has been an Athens fixture for over 100 years, offering fitness and aquatics programming for all ages, in addition to enriching summer day camp opportunities for hundreds of children.  More about the YWCO at ywco.org.

List of Local Artists Participating:

Bryn Adamson                 Diane Barret               Jamie Calkin                      Laci Camp                 Sarah Cook

Laurel Genteman            Camille Hayes            Heidi Hensley                   Barbara Houze          Morgan King

Anne Lane                        Sharon Michael         La Ruchala Murphy         Ann Peden

Dianne Penny-Wilson Jesse Prather              Lilli Sams                            Patty Smith

Yvonne Studevan            Sam Thurmond Paula Williams                  Kate Windley