Welcome!
The Art Center has been part of the Oak Ridge community since 1952. We are a private non-profit fine art museum and educational facility. Our permanent collection boast work spanning over 2000 years, including work by regional and international artists. Classes are available from weekend workshops to immersive eight week sessions. Subjects such as clay, painting, mixed media, weaving, and metalwork/jewelry are available on a regular class schedule, with many more subjects made available throughout the year in the form of workshops. See the links above for selection and availability.
Admission to the galleries is always free of charge, and studio tours are available.
Oak Ridge Art Center-
The HEART of Oak Ridge
Community:
Noun:
1. A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
2. A particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants
3. The condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common
The Oak Ridge Art Center is often considered a community within a community. The city of Oak Ridge has a unique heritage with its founding as a science community during WWII. The isolation required to keep the activities of "The Secret City" secret was tempered by the introduction of strong cultural institutions that have not only survived but thrive to this day. Oak Ridge has live theater, a professional orchestra, ballet, community band and orchestra, history museum and much more. Of course, let's not forget a remarkable fine arts center and museum! This community has integrated cultural arts from the very beginning, and it has permeated the lives of at least four generations of Oak Ridge residents. Yet, the Art Center's community has extended well beyond our city limits. Our weekly classes draw students from Crossville to Chattanooga to Knoxville and beyond. 72% of our students come from outside of Anderson County, as does 48% of our general membership. The distribution of our community might be broad, but the collective goal is laser focused- to provide an educational, creative and rewarding art experience for all who visit.
Meet the Staff
L-R: Holly, Roger, Rex and JoAnn
Holly Peck
Holly holds double duty at the Art Center both as an Administrative Assistant and as an instructor specializing in mixed media painting. She is an accomplished artist and a member of the Foothills Craft Guild. Her whimsical critters and nature scenes in watercolor, pen & ink can be found in regional galleries and online.
Rex Redd
Rex came to the Art Center as a student over 20 years ago, later becoming an instructor in several media before finally accepting the job of Executive Director of the Art Center. He is a juried member of the Southern Highlands and Foothills Craft Guilds as a clay artist specializing in raku pottery.
Roger Johnson
Roger supplements his part-time gig as Santa Clause by working at the Art Center. To stay sharp and well practiced in reading naughty and nice lists, he pours over our paid/not paid lists as our bookkeeper. Roger is a native of Oak Ridge and a wonderful source of historical information and lore.
JoAnn Hasty
JoAnn holds down the fort on weekends and the dreaded Mondays where you will find her at the front desk greeting guests and keeping a watchful eye for nefarious types that target fine establishments like ours! She enjoys making jewelry in her spare time and helps run a local artists co-op.
Support the Arts in Tennessee!
Did you know...
Nearly 80% of public funding for the Arts in the State of Tennessee comes from the Tennessee Arts Commission and their Specialty Plates Program in the form of grants. While all proceeds from the art specific plates go toward art programs, even the non-art themed plates contribute 10%. TAC works tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the citizens of Tennessee the finest arts programs possible in conjunction with thousands of volunteers and trade workers from the Smokies to the Mississippi River.
