Possible settlement of Oconee County Cultural Arts Foundation lawsuit on horizon

A lawsuit against the Board of Directors of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville may reach a settlement after representatives of the current board of directors verbally agreed to an election for potential new board members.

The OCAF Board of Directors agreed to an election during a hearing last week before Superior Court Senior Judge John Ott of Walton County, who was appointed to the case after the four Western Circuit Superior Court all recused themselves due to unspecified conflicts of interest, according to documents prepared by Grover Houseman, who represents those OCAF members filing the suit.

A lawsuit against the board was filed in February by a group of OCAF members, who are seeking numerous documents held by the board.

OCAF: Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation sue their own board; all local judges recuse themselves

Internal strife arose in the OCAF organization following the surprise firing of the OCAF executive director and a longtime secretary. They were the only full-time employees. No reason for the abrupt firings were given to the OCAF membership at the time.

OCAF is a nonprofit agency based in Watkinsville that was organized in 1994. Volunteers play a large role in hosting and working events ranging from the juried Southworks art show to Perspectives, a highly-regarded pottery exhibit showcasing potters from across the state. Both events bring many out-of-town visitors into Watkinsville.

Houseman said Wednesday that his clients would agree to the settlement of having a new election for the entire board of directors.

Houseman drafted letters regarding the potential settlement to Judge Ott and the directors’ attorney Adam Rosenberg.

A vote is already scheduled for June, but Houseman said the “mechanics of the vote” need to be determined. In his letter, he suggested how the vote would occur and how it would be held at a general membership meeting.

“Nothing is definite. This is a proposal on implementing something they have broadly agreed to do,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Lawsuit against an art nonprofit in Watkinsville might be settled