The board of directors of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation has fired both executive director Wendy Cooper and administrative assistant Sherry Woodruff, who has worked at the Watkinsville nonprofit for 12 years. In addition, Cyndee Purdue Moore, the public relations director for the Clarke County School District, has resigned as board chair.
Cooper was fired on Sept. 8, while staff, volunteers and customers were at Perspectives, a huge pottery exhibition and sale that draws participants and attendants from across the region. Two board members escorted her from the building, according to Cooper and another eyewitness. Woodruff was dismissed on Sept. 18 because, she was told, her emotional response to Cooper’s firing constituted a violation of a nondisclosure agreement.
For the past few years, members say transparency has disappeared, members have not been allowed to read the minutes of the board, members have not been allowed to attend board meetings, they have not been allowed to see OCAF’s financial records and the full board hasn’t attended OCAF openings and events. A group of concerned members sent a letter to OCAF directors last month outlining their concerns.
“The members hope to have an open meeting with the board to talk about what has gone on in the last three years,” said OCAF member and supporter Mary Lillie Watson. “We are hoping for more transparency and a review and update of operational issues.”
Started in 1994 by Oconee artists, local leaders and arts patrons, OCAF has functioned for many years as a community arts center, growing to more than 700 members. It hosts events and exhibitions, and offers classes in painting, drawing, writing and sculpture. Staffed by volunteers, annual events—the holiday market, Perspectives pottery blowout, the thrift sale—brought hundreds of people to School Street.
The board of directors sent the following letter to OCAF members and mailing list recipients on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
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