Artists and budding artists of all ages will soon have a nesting place in downtown Troy.

The Johnson Center for the Arts has leased two buildings adjacent to The Studio on East Walnut Street in downtown Troy to expand its arts programming.

One of the buildings will be renovated for use as a center for art activities for the young, young adults and young at heart, said Vicki Pritchett, JCA executive director.

“Our vision for the building is to provide a place for after school arts programs for students and also a place where young adults and the young at heart can participate in art activities,” Pritchett said. “The Colley Senior Complex here in Troy offers outstanding art programs for seniors ages 55 and up. However, if you are younger than 55, there’s not a community work place for those who are interested in art. We want to provide that place.

Plans are to offer art classes and workshops facilitated by local artists and guest artists from throughout the area.

“We would like to offer classes on sculpture and printmaking as well as on drawing and painting,” Pritchett said. “We would also like to offer workshops on a variety of art forms.”

Pritchett said the JCA is in the process of writing a grant to assist in funding after-school drama and theater classes at the new art space.

“Of course, there will be a minimal fee for the classes and workshops offered to assist in paying for the associated costs,” Pritchett said.

The new space is smaller than the JCA’s Studio but is large enough for theatrical and musical presentations and will be available to the public for rent.

“The building will be ideal for birthday parties, paint parties and other similar events,” Pritchett said. “We will have a docent meeting room in the back that will also be an art library. We have a collection of about 200 art books that have been donated to the Johnson Center. We’ll have a table where people can sit and read or do research.

“Our new addition to the Johnson Center Complex will be a multi-purpose building –for art, music and theater and for study and learning.”

As of yet, the JCA has not chosen a name for its new addition.

“We’ve thought about several things but would really like some input from the community,” Pritchett said. “The Johnson Center for the Arts may be contacted through its website, on site at 300 East Walnut Street or by calling 334-670-2287.

Current exhibits at the Johnson Center for the Arts are “The Eclectic World of Doug Hawkins” in the upper gallery and “Natural Focus,” by Nancy Davis Murphree, in the lower gallery.

JCA hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.