OJAC closes to install exhibits

By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center has been closed this week and will reopen again on Saturday, Aug. 29.

OJAC executive director Patrick Kelly said the closure makes it easier for the staff to take down spring and summer exhibits and get ready to install new ones for viewing starting on Sept. 12.

Pieces in a collection by by Jo Ann Fleischhauer, as well as those from “The Ruby Portfolio,” celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary, have been displayed since February.

Kelly said the logistics of taking down exhibitions and having patrons in the museum at the same time is always difficult, so the staff decided it would better to close for the week.

“We want to concentrate on getting the work completed and getting ready for the new exhibits that will be ready to view in a couple of weeks,” Kelly explained.

The upcoming exhibits are entitled Basil Clemons: Witness to a West Texas Boomtown and Charis Ammon: Inheritance.

The two new collections, along with the current exhibit of Deborah Butterfield works, will be on display at the Old Jail Art Center until the end of January 2021.

Art and

 Education Online

Kelly said the online presence for the OJAC has increased over the past several months.

“Programs for students through adults are available and our options have kicked into high gear,” Kelly explained. “There is no lack of content.”

He said that the education department plans to create new opportunities for patrons to explore online going into the fall, possibly incorporating the new exhibits.

 Take home and at home programs are still being introduced weekly on the museum’s website www.theojac.net.