River Oaks Square Arts Center opened its doors in 1984 and holds steadfast to its original mission; enhancing appreciation of visual arts and fine crafts while furthering understanding and creativity through the unique opportunity of working artist’s studios, collectively expanding knowledge of various media and contemporary visual artists. River Oaks offers guests a unique experience; allowing visitors to browse through individual studios while interacting with artists at work; showcasing over 250 artists annually in featured gallery exhibitions; and offering educational extensions which heighten gallery features. River Oaks 8,000 square foot Bolton Home (c. 1899), is exemplary of Queen Anne Revival Architecture in Louisiana and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Driven by the need of the community and the growing needs of the Art Center, a new 15,000 square foot Studio Annex Building opened its doors in 1999. Both buildings occupy a near entire block in Downtown Alexandria's Cultural Arts District and are home to 32 studios, 3 galleries, an on-site Arts Academy, a ceramics lab comparable to university systems, administrative offices and a unique gallery gift shop offering year-round sales for regional artists. The Art Center has been a leading part of the regional art community, representing national, local-emerging and mid-career professional artists who hold a range of academic and prestigious awards. River Oaks' hosts eighteen exhibitions annually, collectively featuring two distinct art call opportunities; The Dirty South Cup Call/Competition & The Annual 5x5x5 Show (miniature works). Select exhibitions include educational extensions where guest jurors and featured artists present multi-faceted workshops. The Arts Center is also host to the largest, longest running visual art camp for youth in the area, where over 180 young creatives take part in educational programming during the months of June and July.