For the next couple of days, Troy will celebrates the arts in grand style thanks to TroyFest.

The annual, two-day event brings dozens of artisans and crafts people to downtown Troy to share their talents with the community. And, this year the event expands to include a songwriter’s competition, highlighting the musical arts and featuring some of our area’s talented up-and-coming musicians and songwriters.

And while we’ll all head to the Square on Saturday, and likely return on Sunday, to enjoy the pottery, paintings, drawings, photography, woodworking and more offered up at TroyFest, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to step over to the Johnson Center for the Arts to view the 2013 Juried Student Art Competition.

The show, which features works from students in kindergarten through high school, is an impressive display of the talents of our youngsters. In five areas –drawing, printmaking, sculpture, painting and mixed media – these young artists have opened their imaginations and shared their works in this show.

Coordinated and edited by the art teachers who so capably nurture and develop these youngsters’ talents, the show is a refreshing insight into the future of the arts in our community.

It is free and open to the public throughout the weekend. So be sure to take time to view the works of these talented young artists.

And congratulations to all who participated and all who won ribbons and awards.