The European Masters art exhibition opens today at the Johnson Center for the Arts in downtown Troy.

The exhibition features the fine arts collection of Dr. Doug Hawkins of Troy and includes about 65 works of art by the European masters. The exhibit fills the entire lower art gallery and will run through Dec. 27.

Hawkins, an avid collector of American folk art, actually began collecting artwork of the masters’ years before he developed an interest in folk art.

“Much of the collection is original lithographs and engravings and many of them are lifetime works, which means the artwork was authorized or created during the artists’ lifetimes,” Hawkins said. “Some of the pieces are signed and dated.”

Several of Hawkins’ most treasured works are by Raphael “the best artist that ever lived.” But he also favors Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, and Andy Warhol. And, then there’s Rembrandt, Matisse, Monet and Toulouse Lautrec and, “of course, Leonardo da Vinci.”

And, did he forget to mention, Marc Chagall and Leonor Fini?

“Urbain Huchet is the most famous living French artist and I really like him,” Hawkins said as he continued to move from one incredible artist’s work to the other.

“Every artist and every piece of artwork is amazing and I like them all,” he said.

Wiley White, Johnson Center development director, said she has never seen anyone who loves art as much as Hawkins.

“And it’s so refreshing,” she said. “For Doug, every day is like Christmas when he talks about the artists and their work.”

White said Hawkins has traveled to Europe many times and he has seen many original works of the masters.

“Not all of us can travel to Europe and visit the great art galleries there but we can visit the Johnson Center and see Doug’s amazing collection of original pieces,” she said. “This is one of the most beautiful exhibits we’ve ever had. The artwork sparkles. You know that it’s great art. No one has to tell you and you don’t even have to think about it. You just know.”

Hawkins has walked and talked the European Masters exhibition with the center’s docents and they have stored a wealth of information about the artwork and the artists. The docents will be able to guide tours through the museum and answer questions visitors might have.

The Johnson Center for the Arts is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is always free. For more information or to schedule tours, call 334-670-2287.