This is Chautauqua. Community events for the whole family hosted in Syracuse Indiana and Lake Wawasee.
We celebrate creativity through performances, exhibitions, and hands-on opportunities that inspire expression, imagination, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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We foster lifelong learning through lectures, conversations, and shared learning that encourage curiosity, reflection, and personal growth at every stage of life.
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At Chautauqua, faith plays an important role in shaping shared values, reflection, and connection within our social and cultural life.
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Recreation and healthy living are essential to life at Chautauqua, supporting connection, balance, and enjoyment through shared activity.
Learn MoreOur goal is to “raise the bar” continually by improving the quality of programs, authors, and presenters. Your support enables us to grow and carry out our mission of providing valuable programs related to education, arts, faith and recreation. Our vision is for Chautauqua-Wawasee to be cited as one reason a business and/or people choose to move and live in Syracuse, Kosciusko County, and Indiana. We promise to use all gifts wisely and responsibly toward this vision.
Mail Donations to:
Oakwood Foundation Inc.
Chautauqua-Wawasee
702 E. Lake View Rd
Syracuse, IN 46567
Wawasee Fine Arts Festival Returns to Oakwood Resort Chautauqua-Wawasee is proud to host the 11th Annual Wawasee Fine Arts Festival at Oakwood Resort on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This beloved outdoor festival brings together a diverse range of fine art, featuring pottery, watercolor, oil painting, jewelry, and specialty art […]
🚤 Wawasee “Points of Interest” Historical Cruise – May 17, 2025 If you’ve ever wanted to step back in time while enjoying the beauty of Indiana’s largest natural lake, this is your chance. The Lake Wawasee historical cruise is back for 2025—an unforgettable two-hour event aboard the SS Lillypad II, brought to you by Chautauqua-Wawasee […]
Chautauqua-Wawasee in Collaboration with NIPAA Present 2025 Summer Plein Air Events Commissioned Lake House/Syracuse Scenes Painted for You | May 23-24 Syracuse residents, if you would like a special commissioned piece of your lake house, cottage, or favorite lake/Syracuse scene, 20 artists will be available to paint these commissioned art pieces during the Chautauqua Plein […]
Five Things You Should Know About Chautauqua-Wawasee – An interview from The Mail-Journal with Mark Knecht
Five Things You Should Know About Chautauqua-Wawasee The Mail-Journal recently sat down with Mark Knecht, the President of Chautauqua-Wawasee, to talk about their organization and future plans. Mail-Journal: What do you want readers to know about Chautauqua? Knecht: Well, a lot of people don’t know who we are and what we do, so that would […]
Syracuse Food Pantry’s “Support a Family” program
Because there has been a surge in need, the Syracuse Food Pantry is reemphasizing its “Support a Family” program. They serve about 100 families from Turkey Creek township per month. Families get about 1 week’s supply of food, cleaning supplies, and dry goods per visit and are only allowed to visit once per month. The […]
Local History 3-Programs Series a Success
Local History 3-Programs Series a Success Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum joined together to offer three programs exploring local history for the period from the 1750s to the 1850s. The programs were in support of Archaeology Month. All programs were free to attend. The first program, held Thursday evening at the Syracuse Community Center, featured […]