In order to offer the community an extended time to view the “Celebrating Contemporary Art in Alabama: The Nature of Being Southern” exhibition, the Johnson Center for the Arts has extended today’s hours from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Today through Saturday is the last chance to view the exhibition.

Hours on Friday and Saturday are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Johnson Center staff will begin to dismantle the exhibition after closing time on Saturday.

Richard Metzger, Center director, said about 1,500 people have toured the exhibit which features 41 Alabama artists who are recipients of the Alabama State Council on the Arts Fine Arts and Crafts Fellowship Awards.

“The ‘Celebrating Contemporary Art in Alabama’ exhibition is the first time that these 41 outstanding Alabama artists have been featured together and it might not happen again,” Metzger said.

“I hope that those who have not had a chance to view the exhibit will make time to do so.

“It’s an outstanding exhibit and the response has been overwhelming by folks in our community and from as far away as Mobile and Birmingham.”

Metzger said those who have visited the “Celebrating Contemporary Art in Alabama” exhibit have been impressed by the talent of the artists and the scope of their work.

“I think everyone has been delighted by the talent in our state and that each person leaves with a nice, warm sense of pride in having such awesome talent in Alabama.”

Metzger said each artist has been a personal favorite of some of the viewers but the children have been drawn to the work of Randy Guchet and Duane Paxson.

“Randy’s ‘Glut,’ which is a tire cornucopia and Duane’s ‘Jelly Beans Angels’ have definitely been the favorite works among the children,” he said.

“Ages high school through adults have seemed to favor Gary Chapman’s paintings and Cal Breed’s hand-blown glass.

But all of the works are outstanding and we are extremely proud to have been able to show these works at the Johnson Center for the Arts.”

The Johnson Center for the Arts is located on East Walnut Street in downtown Troy.

Admission to the Johnson Center is free and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity of the last chance to view the “Celebrating Contemporary Art in Alabama” exhibition before it closes on Saturday.

Coming soon to the Johnson Center for the Arts are “Christmas Trees” in the Main Gallery and “Printology” and the works of painter Janice and printmaker Conrad Ross of Opelika in the downstairs gallery.