Old Jail activities continue into new year

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center is going straight from its holiday programs into planning its next big event, the Jewel of the Prairie gala fundraiser in February.

Current exhibits will close Jan. 29, the Lunar New Year Family Festival will be Feb. 5, and new exhibits will open Feb. 26 in conjunction with the gala.

The Old Jail hosted a holiday family festival last Saturday and also brought the Peeler-Rose Puppet Shows back to the museum earlier this month.  

After a brief break for the holidays, weekly programs will start back in January.

“Our activity trunk is open,” OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said. “We’ll continue to have activity kits through the holidays.”

Holiday Hours

The Old Jail will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Normal operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Jewel of the Prairie

After having its 40th anniversary party fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OJAC is going to try again.

“We planned the 40th anniversary two years ago and we had to call it off 10 days before the party because of COVID,” event chairman Betsy Senter said.

Senter said the evening will include a live auction and silent auction, live music, and a catered meal.

“We’re so excited to be celebrating 40 years of the museum,” OJAC membership and development coordinator Susan Montgomery said. “It’s going to be a lovely evening. We’re looking forward to a fun night.”

The event will be OJAC’s first fundraiser since 2019. The goal is to raise $100,000.

“We have a patron who has pledged to match $50,000 to help us reach our goal,” Senter said.

Tables can be reserved for $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000. Individual tickets will also be available. Individual ticket prices are to be determined.