Our History & The Old Rock School

Founded in 1995 as the Dawson County Arts Council, The Bowen operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inside one of the area’s most treasured historic buildings.

1935: The Old Rock School.
Built with locally quarried stone and funds from F.D. Roosevelt’s PWS (Public Works Administration) and CWA (Civil Works Administration).
The building spent decades serving the Dawson County school system—hosting everything from agriculture and band classes to a community canning plant.

1998: Saved from Demolition.
When the high school was being replaced, The Old Rock School building’s future was threatened with possible demolition. Passionate community members and Arts Council President Grace Privette rallied to save it, envisioning a permanent home for local arts.

2000: A New Era.
Following a $200,000 community-backed restoration, the building was dedicated as the Ralph & Ludy Bowen Center for the Arts, honoring the major donors who made the preservation possible. The project won a state historic preservation award the following year.

Today: A Growing Hub.
Thanks to ongoing community support and local partnerships—such as the outdoor patio added by the Rotary Club of Dawson County in 2019—The Bowen continues to thrive as North Georgia’s gathering place for creativity, culture, and connection.