OCAF: Fostering Arts Education & Events in Northeast Georgia

In 1994, OCAF entered into an agreement with the Oconee County 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 University of North Georgia.

Additionally, we have two beautiful gardens. One houses a sculpture park and the other is home to Yukiko’s Memorial Garden. Learn more about Yukiko and her husband (founder) Bob Marable here.

Come visit! We are open Tues to Sat, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free, some special events require a ticket, see our events page here.

Interested in renting our facilities? Click here.