The Art of Living in Oconee County Georgia

This is an insider's view of living in Oconee County Georgia. I have lived in the Watkinsville area for over twenty years. Though I will never be considered a native, I believe I can offer a perspective to those who want to know more about Oconee County.

OCONEE COUNTY Georgia is beautiful with its rural setting. While many farms are being developed into subdivisions, you can still see large areas of green fields and grazing farmlife. Walks at Oconee County’s Herman Michael Park overlook farms with llamas, cows and even buffalo. When I travel and use the treadmill in an out-of-town hotel, I close my eyes and imagine the views I see everyday in Oconee County.

Want to buy a home in Oconee County, Georgia? Visit www.lauraleidenhomes.com.

THE ARTS IN OCONEE COUNTY Georgia: The arts are alive and well in Oconee. In fact, I believe we could be called an artist colony. Thanks in large part to Happy Valley Pottery, who over thirty years ago had the vision to open their property for a while as a cooperative live-in and potter arrangement. This caused many potters, including my husband, to move into the area. And they stayed. Now the arts are well supported by OCAF, an acronym for Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation www.ocaf.com. It is a lovely exhibition area and art school that has been resurrected from an old schoolhouse by lots and lots of volunteer hours.

ART BUSINESS IN OCONEE COUNTY Georgia: Laura Leiden Calligraphy, Inc. is based in Watkinsville. www.lauraleidencalligraphy.com. It is a wholesale calligraphy company that offers prints of handlettered verses that are then matted and framed or made into greeting cards and sold to gift shops all over the country.

ARTIST OF OCONEE COUNTY Georgia: Laura Leiden, an Oconee County artist, is also known for her original paintings. They are abstract acrylic/ mixed media and can be seen at www.lauraleiden.com. Laura Leiden exhibits internationally and will be part of an international artist group called The Weave who will be exhibiting at OCAF in Watkinsville October 2- November 12, 2005.

OCONEE COUNTY SCHOOLS: We are proud of our school system and have become known for its excellence. This benefits both the children and the property values of the booming housing industry. One of the ways I like to describe Oconee County Schools, is that as a parent, I feel that I am on the same side as the teachers.

Oconee County Georgia is a great place to live and to visit.