Historic Artworks Building Launches “Push to the Finish”

— by the Olga Strawberry Council Board —

The Artworks Building in Olga these days is like a beehive: all the activity is humming along inside and we’re nearing the finish line. The historic strawberry barreling plant, before it was severely damaged by an arson fire in July, 2013, had been for some thirty years, a destination for islanders and tourists alike, as well as a home for island artists and a place for friends to gather in a cozy little café.

Since April of this year, Sound Construction has worked diligently scraping out ashes and burned areas and reconstructing the building. Now we’re less than two months away from striking the last nail in the last board that will finish the project. Take a look at our website to see a slide show of the progress – and how far we’ve come. www.olgastrawberrycouncil.org

It has been a journey both rewarding and frustrating, both gratifying and challenging, and certainly a learning experience, but the Olga Strawberry Council board is happy to announce that the Artworks Cooperative, James Hardman Gallery and a sweet new café will be open for business the first of April!

Our biggest financial challenges have come from having to comply with requirements to retain the building’s historical designation, and having to build a fully operational, health department-approved café, which was not in the original plans.

Insurance payments, grants and donations from the community over the past 10 months have been amazing and have provided the majority of the funding required to finish the construction. We are in the final stretch and once again asking for your help to put us over the top.

We need to raise $30,000 from the community to receive a $30,000 matching grant from a private donor by February 28. Donations of any size will get it done. Simply go to www.olgastrawberrycouncil.org and click on “Donate.” Or a send a check payable to OSC to PO Box 214, Olga WA 98279. OSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are fully tax-deductible.

Please feel free to send emails to all your friends, use Face Book, Twitter, whatever you are comfortable with to energize the greater audience for this “Push to Finish” campaign for the Artworks Building!

The OSC Board is truly grateful for our amazing community, and its enduring support of our beautiful historic building and the businesses it supports.