The Johnson Center for the Arts is known for its outstanding art exhibitions but for Vicki Pritchett, executive director, and her staff, the art center should be that and more.

“We want the Johnson Center to be a center, not solely for the visual arts, but for all the arts,” Pritchett said.

As a way of accomplishing that goal, the Johnson Center initiated an ArtTalk series in which artists have a forum to talk about their artwork and the meaning and process behind it.

“For the ArtTalks, we invite artists and art collectors to come share their talents and their interests with the audience,” Pritchett said. “The ArtTalks have been well attended and we have an outstanding lineup for this year.

Steve Flowers, political analyst, author and homegrown Trojan, will kick off the 2015-2016 ArtTalks at the Johnson Center on Thursday in the Gibson Gallery and the public is invited.

Flowers will talk about his recently released book about Alabama politics, titled “Of Goats and Governors.”

“We are excited that Steve chose Troy and the Johnson Center as the place to kick off his statewide book tour,” Pritchett said. “Steve is well-known all across the state for his insight into Alabama politics and for his ability as a storyteller.

“He has wonderful stories about Alabama politicians and he can make those stories come to life. Many of the stories in Steve’s book are told from a personal perspective. Others are retold as they were told to him by the politicians or from those who knew them.”

Pritchett said the stories of Alabama politicians are interesting and entertaining to the point of often laughing out loud.

“Steve cannot only write good stories, he is a great storyteller,” Pritchett said. “He has some wonderful stories and some that only a page during Gov. George C. Wallace’s terms can tell. His stories about Gov. ‘Big Jim’ Folsom are priceless. All of the stories are worth reading but it’s a real treat to hear Steve tell them.”

Following the ArtTalk, Flowers will take questions from the audience.

“So, if there something that you’ve wanted to know about Alabama politicians or Alabama politics but haven’t had the opportunity to ask, this will be your chance,” Pritchett said.

Flowers is a member of the Johnson Center board of directors. Pritchett said he will generously donate the proceeds from the “Of Goats and Governors” book sales at the art center to the Johnson Center.

“We appreciate Steve’s talents as a writer and storyteller and his long and continuing support of the Johnson Center and the arts in Troy and Pike County,” Pritchett said.

The ArtTalk and reception will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday in the Gibson Gallery and the Johnson Center for the Arts. The ArtTalk will begin at 6 p.m. The public is invited.