OKEECHOBEE — It took 16 years, but the dream of an Art Center in Okeechobee was realized Saturday, Jan. 23, when the Okeechobee Main Street Arts & Culture Alliance Center welcomed area artists to see the revitalized facility built to encourage and help artists as well as our community.

Okeechobee Main Street (OKMS), sponsor of downtown enrichment through events and promotions, is the site of the Arts and Culture Alliance Center, located at 111 S.E. Second St.

Bridgette Waldau, arts and culture alliance director of Okeechobee Main Street, in speaking on the importance of art to a community said, “Art can help revitalize our downtown area and if we succeed, the whole community will thrive.

“Ours is the first Florida Main Street to become a local art agency.” Under State of Florida guidelines local art agencies provide services, support and programs for arts organizations, artists and their local communities and inspire civic participation in and a passion for the arts in those communities.

The facility is the Okeechobee Main Street office, the new art center and gallery and the art gift store. The new center offers a display area where artists can exhibit and sell their works, as well as hold classes and workshops.

The alliance welcomes art lovers and supporters and invites Okeechobee artists of all genres, who paint, sculpt, create digital art, do photography, wood fracking, calligraphy, writing, jewelry, pottery, dance, theatre, music, and more to become members of the alliance through participation and support.

For more information contact Ms.Waldau at 863-357-6246 or email: art@okeechobeemainstreet.org.