The Johnson Center for the Arts and the Troy University Confucius Institute will offer a unique arts opportunity for the public during the annual TroyFest arts and crafts show Saturday and Sunday in downtown Troy.

Institute directors and international students at the university will conduct a demonstration of the ancient art of paper cutting and will assist with hands-on activities involving the participants.

Vicki Pritchett, Johnson Center executive director, said children and adults are invited to attend the demonstration and then try their hands at paper cutting.

“The art of paper cutting is a fascinating and beautiful form of art,” Pritchett said. “And, we don’t often have the opportunity to see paper cutting masterfully done. It is truly an art and the Johnson Center is very appreciative of this opportunity to highlight this ancient art during a festival that honors and promotes the arts.”

Pritchett said the international students will also entertain with Chinese folk dancing during the paper-cutting event.

The paper cutting demonstrations will be at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Main Gallery at the Johnson Center. There is no charge for event art event and all materials are supplied.

The Johnson Center is also the display venue for the annual Pike County Student Art Show.

The show is open to students, kindergarten through 12th grade, in all schools in the county.

“The student art show has been judged and the ribbons have been awarded,” Pritchett said. “This is a wonderful exhibit of student artwork. A variety of mediums were used and it’s a just a delightful show. We invite everyone to come and see what great young artist we have here in Pike County. I think everyone will be amazed at the talent.”

A Troy University student art exhibit is featured in the Lower Gallery of the Johnson Center.

“This is a very interesting and amazing display of the artistic abilities of several university students,” Pritchett said. “We encourage visitors to go downstairs and view this exhibit.”

Admission to the Pike County Student Art Show and the Troy University student art show is free, as with all exhibits at the Johnson Center.

The Johnson Center for the Arts will be open during TroyFest hours, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday.

The two student art shows will hang until May 2.