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With the ringing of the school bells, comes additional opportunities for learning, exploration and creativity.

And, there’s no better place to experience them all than the Johnson Center for the Arts on East Walnut Street in downtown Troy.

Since the opening of the Johnson Center for the Arts, Day Barnes has been teaching afterschool and summer art classes to the youth of Pike County.

For the past four years, the classes have been held in the art studio aptly named “Art by the Tracks.” The studio is located near the railroad tracks that run at the base the city street. What better place to inspire young artists than tracks and trestles… and whistles?

“Recently the studio has been given a facelift which includes a reception counter, an art library, new supply shelves and display panels,” Barnes said. “And, as dictated by COVID-19, the studio has been rearranged to provide appropriate spacing for social distancing. Each class is limited to 10 students and masks will be required.”

Barnes said art classes include a variety of units in drawing, painting, papier mache, pottery and other mediums.

Classes for students in the first, fifth and sixth grades are given on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 – 4:25. A class for teenage students is held on Thursday from 4:30 – 5:45. The art fee is $65 for four classes and all materials are provided.

“I am looking forward to another year of ‘Art by the Tracks’ and to the many art experiences for our youth,” Barnes said.

For more information about the classes and registration, contact the Johnson Center at 334 670 2287.