Lake Oconee Academy (LOA), the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and several Greene County residents celebrated the grand opening on Jan. 12, of the Lake Oconee Academy Fine Arts building at 1021 Titan Circle in Greensboro.
The on-site celebration and ceremony featured an art exhibit and music by LOA students, followed by a ribbon cutting hosted by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce.
“The new Fine Arts Building opens new avenues in the arts for the students of Lake Oconee Academy,” Greene County Chamber President Mika Mills declared. “Even more impressive than this beautiful building is the students’ art that it exhibits. Their talents are truly amazing.”
Nationally renowned artist James Threalkill also was in attendance and demonstrated his Expressive Realism art with a live painting demonstration.
A gift of gratitude was presented to Lake Oconee Academy CEO Dr. Ortho Tucker, as a portrait of him will hang in the main hall of the new arts building. The painting also depicts several Lake Oconee Academy students from years past in the background, symbolizing the impact Tucker and his LOA faculty have had on the lives of so many Greene County students.
“The arts have always been a big part of the education here at LOA,” Tucker stated during the ceremony. “This building gives these award-winning artists, band members, actors and video artists a place to perfect their award-winning craft.
“Thanks to the LOA Foundation, the LOA Board of Governors, the USDA Rural Loan Program and Landmark Construction (Brandon Burgess), our students now have a place to hone their creative skills.”