The Johnson Center for the Arts is taking a walk on the wild side beginning the month of October and trekking through December. The greater Pike County community is invited to come along.

Vicki Pritchett, Johnson Center executive director, said the extensive look at the wild side of life will include a Wildlife Expo, the Wild Art of Pike County Student Art Competition and the Buck Taylor Wildlife Exhibit.

“Preston Pittman, Five time Turkey Calling World Champion and comedian, will be feature at the Johnson Center for our Wildlife Expo on October 24,” Pritchett said. “He has been featured on the David Letterman Show and in outdoor hunting magazines including ‘Outdoor Life,’ ‘Field and Stream,’ ‘Southern Outdoors’ and “Sports Afield,’ among others.”’

Pittman is a member of the National Outdoor Hall of Fame. He will demonstrate his calling skill at the Wildlife Expo and talk about his journey as a world champion turkey caller.

The Johnson Center will invite students in grades K-12 to participate in an art competition featuring wildlife from Pike County, Oct. 23- Nov. 14.

The Wild Art of Pike County Student Show will encourage students of all ages to tell the story of local wildlife in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.

Pritchett said the art competition will be an incentive for students to learn more about native wildlife in Pike County and to display their artistic talents.

The Wild Art of Pike County Student Show will be sponsored by Troy Bank and Trust.

“The student art show will also feature taxidermy of native wild animals from right here in Pike County,” Pritchett said.

To close out the Johnson Center’s focus on wildlife in art, the Center will host the Buck Taylor Wildlife Show.

“Buck Taylor has been looking at the world through a camera lens for more than 40 years,” Pritchett said. “We will have the privilege to showcase his work from October 30 through December 30.

“Buck Taylor has always had a genuine love for the outdoors and the countless variety of flora and fauna God created. He traveled extensively for more than 25 years. During that time, he wrote and illustrated magazine features for sporting publications and, at the same time, polished his camera craft.”

Pritchett said everyone who enjoys nature and wildlife will not want to miss any of the events planned from October 24 through December 30.