***Oglebay Institute’s Message from the President Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)***

Updated May 8, 2020

Dear Friends,

I hope that this correspondence finds you and your loved ones well. Upon the recommendation of state health officials, Oglebay Institute will not hold summer camps for the month of June. Some of the June camps will be canceled. Others are being moved to July or August.

We are heartbroken to announce this news; however, we believe it is in the best interest of our patrons, staff and community to do so. We will continue to assess the situation and provide updates in the coming weeks.

If you have a child who is already registered for a June camp, you may request a full refund, have us hold your registration fee to apply to the new camp date or another camp later in the summer (if it is deemed safe to proceed), or elect to designate those funds as a tax-deductible donation to help support Oglebay Institute during these difficult financial times.

Information regarding canceled camps and new camps dates is available at www.OIonline.com/camps. A representative from Oglebay Institute will be in touch soon to see how you wish to proceed.

While our staff members continue to work remotely and our facilities remain temporarily closed, our team at Oglebay Institute remains busy planning for when we can re-open our doors and begin to safely deliver the quality art, theater, history, dance and nature programs for which we have been known for nearly 90 years. We believe that, perhaps now more than ever, our communities need the inspiration and connection that these programs offer. We are very excited about presenting two upcoming exhibits in the coming weeks– “Orchidelirium: The Scientific, Social and Sentimental Passion of Adelaide Stifel,” which is set to open at the Mansion Museum in early June and the annual “Crosscurrents” exhibit at the Stifel Fine Arts Center that is slated to begin June 25. Patrons will be able to enjoy “Crosscurrents” in person and through Facebook. Also, a new online art sales component will be available through the run of this exhibit. Artists who would like to be considered for “Crosscurrents” can apply online through May 31 at www.OIonline.com/stifle/crosscurrents.

We can’t wait to be with you in person again. In the meantime, I hope that you are enjoying the online content that our program departments are sharing through our Facebook page. Please know that we are thinking of you and are available to answer any questions that you may have. We will continue to keep you posted about our plans and encourage you to follow our Facebook page and website for the most up-to-date information.

Many thanks for your patience, understanding and continued support! Wishing you good physical and mental health during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Danielle Cross McCracken
President, Oglebay Institute

Contact Phone Numbers:

Schrader Environmental Education Center, 304-242-6855
Stifel Fine Arts Center, 304-242-7700
School of Dance, 304-242-8807
Towngate Theatre, 304-242-7700
Museums of Oglebay Institute, 304-242-7272