Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Word around town is that a large number of masked patrons of the arts will descend on the Johnson Center for the Arts between the hours of 5:30 and 8:30 Thursday night.

Just who will be behind those masks and which JCA memberships will they will be seeking is yet to be known.

However, word around town is also that the number of annual memberships to the Johnson Center for the Arts is unlimited and all are tailor-made for individuals, couples and families and businesses as well.

Jennifer Senn, a member of the membership committee, said the Mask-A-Rade Membership Celebration Thursday night is an opportunity for supporters of the Johnson Center for the Arts and the arts in Pike County to come together for a night of food, fellowship, live entertainment and the opportunity to, once again, view the two fabulous exhibitions that feature glass art by local artist Charles Adams and cotton and clay art by Huntsville artist Guadalupe Robinson.

Come alone, with a friend or fiends or as a family in support of the Johnson Center for the Arts specifically and the arts in general, Senn said.

“The Mask-A-Rade Membership Celebration is a two-venue event that features the Johnson Center for Arts and also The Studio.

“There will be barbecue and baked beans in the JCA and finger foods in The Studio,” Senn said. “Kat Deal will entertain in the JCA and Charity Bowden in The Studio. Everyone is invited to visit each venue, enjoy the food and entertainment, and learn more about the advantages and opportunities of JAC membership.”

Brenda Campbell, JCA director, said the Johnson Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization and depends on memberships, donations and grants for its continued operation. “The JCA features exhibitions by local, state, national and international artists and by students of all ages. The center has musical events and dance and theater performances at no cost to the public,” Campbell said. “We also have venues for teaching art and music and art-related workshops. We are a true arts center and our goal is to maintain a state-of-the-art cultural arts facility and provide quality educational program.”

JCA memberships begin at $50 for individuals and increase to $100 for families, $250 for friends of the center and $500 for benefactors. Corporate memberships begin at the $1,000 Silver level and increase through the Diamond Level. The Mask-A-Rade Membership Celebration on Thursday night offers an introduction to the JCA’s calendar of events for the coming months. Support the arts by becoming a member of the Johnson Center for the Arts.