The Old Chicken Farm Art Center was just that, an old chicken farm, forty years ago. There is a long story about what happened to local community chicken farms. During the early 60's a truck rolled into town with cheaper frozen chickens, and... Well, to make it a short story, many chicken farms were abandoned or converted to other uses.

   So... in 1971 The Old Chicken Farm Art Center was started when Roger Allen and partners began to change the old chicken coops, ice house and silo into studios and galleries. With lots of work and dedication to the project, it grew and grew. Three acres with eight large buildings, it soon became a haven for artists.

   During the 80's, the art center housed 22 artists studios, a bronze foundry and became an active place for classes and events. The annual kids day attracted 750 kids to participate in free children's activities. The adult day offered many middle aged folks a chance to paint, sculpt and try their hand at various art activities.

   In the 90's, Roger rededicated himself to the pottery studio. Even though he still loves hot metal, jewelry, painting, sculpting and all art, he is old enough to realize he can't do it all. A good team of dedicated "Chicken Farmer" artists have kept the Art Center together while Roger, back in the clay studio, wrote the simple but meaningful StarKeeper story and developed a well recognized line of pottery illustrating it.

   In 1999 Jerry & Susan Warnell purchased the back half of the Old Chicken Farm. They established a Bed & Breakfast, and guests come from all over the States and even Europe. The Silo House Restaurant has become a favorite dining experience for a growing number of people, and Gecko Gallery has grown from six artists to thirty, offering fine art paintings, sculpture and ceramics. The studios are filled with artists working in several mediums. (See Links Page)