OJAC plans Fandangle-themed events

By Melinda Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center will bring history to life this Saturday, June 21 with two special events celebrating the Fort Griffin Fandangle and local heritage – part of its larger lineup of free, family-friendly activities this summer.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, visitors and local residents can take part in a free guided Historic Albany Walking Tour, beginning at the Bank Park fountain on Main Street. The tour traces the footsteps of early settlers, starting at the 1870s Ledbetter Picket House and ending at the 1920s Aztec Theater downtown. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the tour.

Tonkawa Dances

At 1 p.m. that same afternoon, the museum hosts a Tonkawa Dance Performance in the Marshall R. Young Sculpture Courtyard. 

The costumed presentation includes traditional dance, storytelling, and music in honor of regional Native American cultures.

Again, the program is free and open to the public.

Family Festival

The museum’s Fandangle celebration continues with its annual Texas Critter Corral on Saturday, June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. 

This lively family festival includes wildlife-themed crafts, games, music, a scavenger hunt through the galleries, and regional treats such as prickly-pear snacks.

Craft stations include Buffalo Bracelets, Lizard Mosaics, Snake Mobiles, and more. 

Like all of OJAC’s public programs, the festival is free and open to the public.

Summer Day Camps

OJAC Summer Day Camps return this July and August, offering hands-on learning experiences for children, with registration underway. 

All camps run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., led by museum educators and artists. 

Camps are free for members or $15 per session for non-members. Registration is open at theojac.org through July 18.

Camp themes this year include:

•Frontier Friends (ages 9–12): Life on the West Texas frontier

•Cultural Connections (ages 6–12): Global art, food, and games

•OJAC Under the Sea! (ages 6–8): Ocean-themed crafts and exploration

•Sculpt OJAC (ages 9–12): Sculpture techniques using a variety of materials

Campers bring a brown bag lunch, and materials are provided.

Weekly Take-Home Art Kits

Leading up to Fandangle, the museum is also offering weekly free art kits through its Community Take-Home Trunk, located just outside the front gates. 

This week’s project is a Rattlesnake Pencil-Topper, with a new themed activity launching next week. 

Kits are designed for ages 6–12 and combine art with STEM, literacy, and history topics tied to OJAC’s collections.