An idea from Ireland has opened doors in Troy and the Colley Senior Complex is taking the open door opportunity as a fundraiser for the Troy Senior Foundation.

"A group from Troy visited Ireland and was fascinated by the Doors of Dublin project," said Jane Hamrick, assistant director of the complex. "The idea is for artists to paint doors and then the doors are sold with the artists getting the major portion of the money and the sponsoring organization the other. We decided with all of the talent we have in our area that this would be a great fundraiser for the complex."

Thus, the Doors of Troy.

The Colley Senior Complex is inviting all of those who have a flair with a brush and paint to participate in The Doors of Troy project.

"We are encouraging individual artists, students, church and school groups or any organization to participate," Hamrick said."This is a consignment project and the artists will get 70 percent of the sale and the complex will get 30 percent. And, we provide the doors."

The price of the doors will be determined by the artists and Mary Ann Casey, complex director.

"The doors may be painted in any medium," Hamrick said. "The artists may choose to paint a design on one side or both sides. The choice is theirs."

The Doors of Troy will provide an interactive art experience for the Brown Bag kickoff lunch on March 11 on the square in downtown Troy.

"The Doors" will remain on exhibit on the square through Troy State University's St. Patrick's Day Parade March 15.

The Doors of Troy will then be on display at the Colley Senior Complex until April 5,when they are back downtown

as part of the Troy Fest." After Troy Fest, any doors that have not been sold will be shown on E-bay for sale," Hamrick said.

The Doors of Troy project is a campaign to support many of the programs at the Colley Senior Complex.

"The complex is basically a self-sustaining foundation," Hamrick said. "The city of Troy provides the building, which, of course, is a great contribution to the seniors of our area, and also underwrites some of our programs. But, we offer a large number of programs and activities for which we need funding. We have an outstanding senior complex and that is because of the support of the city and the citizens of our area."

Door may be picked up at the Colley Senior Complex at 715 Elm Street. Call 808-8500 to reserve a door.