The Okefenokee Heritage Center celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday evening, May 31 with a Golden Bowl Gala.
In true OHC spirit, the evening was family-friendly, casual, and tailored toward community connections. The three hours of festivities flowed through the facility’s galleries and included a viewing of the traveling exhibition “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists 2025-2026” in the main gallery.
OHC is one of only 10 rural art galleries selected by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Council for the Arts to host the exhibit, which closes Friday, June 20.
In the warehouse, guests were treated to delicacies by Zels of downtown Waycross.
The highlight of the evening was the rocking tunes from Little Satilla Band, who kept feet tapping and folks swaying on the large dance floor.
OHC Executive Director Carla Garrett Cornett welcomed the appreciative crowd.
“On May 31, 1975, the Okefenokee Heritage Center was born,” said Cornett. “We continue to move forward to keep the rich, cultural heritage of the Okefenokee area alive.
The Okefenokee Heritage Center is essential to both our community and to visitors.
“We aspire to follow in the footsteps of Susan Lott Clark and honor her legacy in this generation and for many generations to come.”
Cornett also reminded attendees the OHC is a nonprofit organization, relies heavily on donations and encouraged organization membership.
She concluded her remarks with thanks to the Waycross Convention and Visitors Bureau and Waycross and Ware County officials for their continued support.
Dr. William Clark, son of OHC founder Sue Lott Clark, followed Cornett with commentary on his late mother’s passionate dedication to preserving the history of the area. Clark is credited with chronicling much of the culture of the Okefenokee area, along with the late Willie Character, for whom one of the OHC venues is named.
