The doors to an unnamed space will open with grandeur at 4 p.m. today at 303 East Walnut Street in downtown Troy.

The former “pool hall” is planned as an art space where people of all ages can come to take classes and participate in workshops in various forms of art from painting to tatting.

The first class in the new art space will be an after-school art class taught by local artist Day Barnes beginning this afternoon, said Vicki Pritchett.

“The Johnson Center for the Arts is excited to be able to provide this space for those want to learn about the visual arts,” she said. “The Johnson Center has leased the building next door to The Studio for use by children and adults in hopes that it will become a hub of activity for those with an interest in the visual arts.”

Pritchett said when most people think of art they think of painting and painting will certainly be a focus of the new space.

“But textiles have become the old new in the art world,” she said. “Plans are to offer classes and workshops in sewing, knitting, embroidery, cross-stitching, even tatting. Many young adults are interested in these forms of the arts, as well as quilting.”

The classes and workshops will be taught by people in the local area who have “mastered” the arts, so to speak.

“There are people here in Troy and Pike County who do beautiful artwork and will be willing to share their knowledge of the different art mediums,” Pritchett said. “There will be affordable fees for the classes and workshops.”

The classes will be geared toward children and adults under the age of 50.

“The Colley Senior Complex has outstanding art programs for senior adults but there are few, if any, art programs for adults under the age of 50,” Pritchett said. “We want to fill that need.”

A pressing need for the new art space is a name.

“We want an identifying name for our new space and we are inviting the public to share their ideas,” Pritchett said. “A committee will choose a name from those ideas. The person whose name for the new art space is selected will receive a family membership to the Johnson Center for the Arts and a party for him or her and 10 friends.”

Those who would like to suggest or enter a name for the JCA’s new art space may do by emailing jordan@tpcac.org before Sept. 15 or call the idea in to the JCA at 334-670-2287.