Mission Statement
Founded in 1972 with a mission to ensure a place for arts in the community, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council offers a diverse range of programs, professional development services, and support to serve both artists and residents in Lafayette County.
The staff, board, and volunteers work to support 300 days of arts programs annually. Programs offer opportunities and resources for students and emerging artists while providing support to over 20 different arts organizations including live theatre, dance, concerts, creative arts classes, culinary experiences, film screenings, festivals, and more. The Arts Council manages the Powerhouse Community Arts Center, the Old Armory Pavilion, the Lafayette County Arena, and the Yokna Sculpture Trail. The organization was a 2018 recipient of the Governor's Award for Arts in the Community.
Generous support from the local community through an annual membership campaign, a series of signature fundraisers, sponsorships by local businesses and grants from the City of Oxford, Lafayette County, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Humanities Council, South Arts, Visit Oxford, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities support programs, facilities, and technology to empower the creative voices that reflect our community and the Hill Country region.
We invite you to explore your community through the Arts: join us at a signature event, participate in a class, or start your own festival!
Meet the Staff
Wayne Andrews
Wayne works with artists and arts organizations to determine tools and resources that will create a thriving creative community in Lafayette County. He assists artists with planning programs, developing funding resources, and securing spaces for programs.
Meghan Gallagher
Additionally, Meghan is one of YAC's primary grant writers.
Caitlin Hopper
She also works with private events including weddings, rehearsal dinners, and conferences.
Meredith Grantham
Adam Davis
Growing up in the arts, Adam is an artist who has worked for theatres and assisted in running community art programs. Adam works with those utilizing spaces managed by the Arts Council to advise and plan for the resources to support their events. Adam is also YAC's builder extraordinaire, creating everything from theatrical sets to event backdrops.
Margaret Webb
Margaret provides support for community members and event organizers seeking to produce agricultural and craft events at the Lafayette County Arena. Following an impactful career as a Lafayette County Extension Agent, Margaret works to promote the new arena as a space for hands-on learning experiences and events.
About the Powerhouse
In 1928 the city constructed what would be its last power plant. While it may be hard to believe, the W.R. Ellis Company completed the building for only $10,900! The architect, Frank P. Gates, received $498 for his work. Prior to this time, the city of Oxford received electricity from a power plant located near the University of Mississippi campus (by the Depot). This location, however, was prone to flooding in heavy rains, which was one reason for the construction of a new plant.
According to the Oxford Eagle, the new power plant contained $50,000 worth of new equipment, which increased the new plant’s capacity from 250 horsepower to 750 horsepower.
In 1933 Oxford officials decided to build an addition onto the plant, which included a new concrete reservoir that would improve the city waterworks system. This addition also held Oxford’s pumping machinery and equipment.
Corless E. Harrison, who was the last superintendent of the old power plant, became the first superintendent of the new one. During World War II he also served as acting mayor for almost three years because the elected mayor had departed to serve in the US navy. During this time Harrison remained superintendent of the plant.
In 1950 Oxford signed a contract with Tennessee Valley Authority in order to receive wholesale electricity if the city built a new electric power substation and transmission line. Oxford’s voters approved this and the TVA began delivering electricity to Oxford in January of 1951. The power plant only provided electricity during an interim period when the TVA could not provide enough. In March 1952, the TVA became the sole provider of electricity in Oxford, and the power plant was relegated to a storage warehouse.
In 2008 the old power plant became the Powerhouse Community Arts Center, and it is now the home of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. This historic building serves as a venue for theater and art classes, performances, and community events. Once filled with the hum of machinery generating energy, the building now resonates with the artistic energy of performers and artists.
Whether you are looking to host a wedding, private party, or corporate retreat, the Powerhouse is the place. It features two spacious rooms, the Gallery and the Theatre, which are 40 by 70 feet. Both rooms have 24-foot ceilings and exposed vintage brick. Smaller, more intimate events may only need one room, while larger events can take advantage of the full space and host functions for nearly 850 people. The Theatre has a stage for a band and space for dancing.
The Powerhouse boasts a historic beauty that can be easily adapted for any event. You can even customize the space by hanging chandeliers, lanterns, or other decorations from the ceiling. Don’t be afraid to ask!
The power plant is the heart of a city, without it the city could not function. Today, the Powerhouse is the heart of Lafayette County’s artistic community, and as the heart is essential to the body, we here at the Arts Council feel that we provide an essential service to the artists and artistic organizations in our community.