Art Center Celebrates Anniversary

The Oskaloosa Art Center and FACE of Mahaska County played host to a special event on Saturday, as the Iowa Arts Council Fellows made a stop at the center. (file photo)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – A sign in the window reads, “All you need is art.”

The need to share, grow, generate and appreciate art has continued at the Oskaloosa Art Center.

For the past year, the Oskaloosa Art Center has been in the heart of Oskaloosa after moving from their previous location on the east side of town.

The first anniversary in their new space was also marked as their fourth birthday overall in serving the community.

Sarah Kargol with the Art Center has had a stellar year.

Being more accessible for art lovers and patrons has allowed the group to host their first ever sculpture tour, a ceramics room, and more.

Looking towards the future, Kargol says the next opportunity will be opening a sculpture annex that will be located along South Market. Those opportunities could include, blacksmithing, wood working and more. The hope is to one day include a glass blowing studio.

The gathering “is just a big deep breath and some high-fives because our story is a good one,” said Kargol. “It’s got some ups and downs, and we’re just happy that we’re still around and going to celebrate this big up.”

Kargol was also excited because the group was getting ready to install the new pieces for the 2018 sculpture tour. “Our first year is ending in May, and we’re bringing in 9 new sculptures into the city.”

The grand unveiling of the new works will be in June, during the Skunk River Arts Festival and Art on the Square.