When Christmas comes to the Johnson Center for the Arts it doesn’t come in any ordinary way.

It comes in such a way that there is something for everyone.

“The board of directors of the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center and its staff invite everyone to attend “Christmas in the Center” on Dec. 1,” said Richard Metzger, Center director.

“We have several events and a variety of activities beginning at 4 p.m. when Patricia ‘Sister Schubert’ Barnes will be at the Johnson Center to autograph copies of her latest book, ‘Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters.’”

Also at 4 p.m. Marquirette’s opens shop in the Troy Tourism Board Room to offer fine jewelry and gifts.

“The Johnson Center will also have a silent auction and the public is invited to view the items in the Cultural Arts Studio across the street from the Johnson Center for the Arts,” Metzger said.

“And we hope that everyone will offer bids. We have some really good items, about 60 of them.”

The items range from a week’s stay a lake house and personal training sessions to mink stoles and paintings by Mose T.

“We have several really big items that will be pre-bid,” Metzger said. “Those items are a Jean Lake painting with a minimum bid of $1,000, a Mollye Daughtry print, No.1 of 150 with a minimum bid of $200, a Tennessee Walking Horse born in the fall of 2009 with a minimum bid of $300 and a two-night weekend plus food at the Courtyard by Marriott in Troy with a minimum bid of $300.”

Pre-bids for those items must be entered by Monday, Nov. 30.

Bids may be made at the Johnson Center for the Arts at 300 East Walnut Street in downtown Troy.

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Johnson Center will officially kick off the Christmas season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Johnson Center.

“Following the lighting ceremony, music will be provided by Shelia Jackson,” Metzger said.

All events are free and open to the public.