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The Johnson Center for the Arts is hosting an artists’ reception for exhibiting artists, Jeffry Babine and Betsy Barrett-Hails, from 6 until 8 pm. Thursday. The public is invited.

“We are excited to welcome these two amazing artists to the Johnson Center,” said Brenda Campbell, JCA director. “We invite everyone who appreciates outstanding art to join us for the reception to meet and greet Betsy and Jeffry.”

“Masks are required and social distancing will be observed, so come and enjoy a night of the art in downtown Troy.”

Babine has a bachelor of arts degree in paint from the University of Alabama, Huntsville and a master of fine arts degree in drawing from the University of Arizona.

“Jeffry is a native of New York but resides in Alabama so we like to claim him,” Campbell said. “He has exhibited his pencil and charcoal drawings in local, regional and national art exhibitions for more than 40 years.”

Babine’s work has been shown in highly acclaimed exhibitions including the 33rd Annual National Juried Exhibition at the San Diego Arts Institute, the 34th North Dakota Print and Drawing Annual and the Alabama Showcase II.

Collections of his work include the University of North Dakota. University of Alabama in Huntsville, Mobile Museum of Fine Arts and the Wiregrass Museum of Art. Commissions of his pencil drawings, charcoal drawings and oil paintings are in private collections

Barrett-Hails is a contemporary realist who specializes in oil paintings.

She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Auburn University with a major in painting.

Campbell said Barrett-Hails award-winning works depict large, colorful figures and still lifes. She has the ability to magnify the beauty of ordinary moments in time which gives her artwork wide appeal.

“And, she likes to depict unique people in her art,” Campbell said. “Betsy said people who are unusual have a certain look about them. And, it’s as if they just happen to be at the right place at the right time for her to capture them.”

Betsy Barrett-Hails’ paintings hang in the collections of Pepsi Co. Inc., Purchase, New York, the Alabama Federal, Courthouse, Huntingdon College and among many other business and private collections throughout the United States.

“Jeffry Babine and Betsy Barrett-Hails are amazing artists,” Campbell said. “While they are different in their mediums and techniques, they both capture their subjects in personal ways.”

Campbell invites the community to come from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and meet Babine and Barrett-Hails and learn more about their art and them as individuals.

The Johnson Center for the Arts is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Admission is free. Johnson Center for the Arts is located at 300 E. Walnut St. Troy, AL 36081.