The old adage, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” might be true some times, but not on Edible Art Night.

Patrons can enjoy the creativity and genius of the artists and then devour their artwork with a flick of the fork.

At 7 p.m., tonight, at the Cultural Arts Studio on East Walnut Street, Troy University “artists” as well as a few “culinary” artists from the community will vie for awards in five categories in the Edible Art Contest. A panel of judges will decide which entries are the most humorous, most artistic, most original, most innovative and most delicious. There will also a “Best of Show,” award, which will be determined by the vote of the patrons.

Pam Allen, Edible Art Night chair, said each patron will be given five gold coins with which to vote for their favorite art works.

“You can vote all five coins on one art piece or divide them among several,” she said.

The Best of the Show may also be the winner in one of the other categories.

Allen said each artist is keeping his or her work of art top secret until the show opens tonight. However, she did say that her piece will be a solid chocolate ballerina in the style of Edgar Degas.

Chocolate will be a favorite ingredient among several of the artists but the artwork will not be limited to sweets. There will be meat, vegetable and bread creations to give balance to the show.

Students in the art department will be the servers and will wear aprons with the Edible Art logo painted on them.

The aprons will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Troy Arts Council. Edible Art Night is sponsored by the Troy University College of Communication and Fine Arts as a fundraiser for the Troy Arts Council.

Dr. Maryjo Cocharn, college dean, said the Troy Arts Council has been generous in helping fund several arts events at the university.

“The arts council also sponsors many artistic performances for the people of Troy and Pike County,” Cochran said.

“We believe Edible Art is a valuable project to help promote the good works of the Troy Arts Council.” Live entertainment for Edible Art Night will be Troy University music professor Ray Smith and the Troy University Jazz Ensemble.

Tickets for Edible Art Night are $15 for individuals, $25 for couples and $5 for children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door.

The community is invited to enjoy this unusual and unusually fun event.