The Johnson Center for the Arts and the Mack Gibson Family will present artist Mary Ann Casey and the Colley Complex Potters for an artists’ reception from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday at the Johnson Center for the Arts.

The public is invited to attend this special event that features Casey’s Stories & Totems exhibition in the upper level galleries and the potter’s exhibit in the center’s lobby area.

“I have been impressed by the beautiful work of the Colley Senior Complex potters and have wanted them to show their work at the Johnson Center,” said Vicki Pritchett, JCA executive director. “Mary Ann is a former director of the Colley Complex so this was an ideal time to exhibit the outstanding work of the potters. The exhibits complement each other.”

Pritchett said the public will have an opportunity to interact with the potters and learn how they have, in such a short time, creates such a variety of amazing work.

“The pottery will only be for exhibit but you’ll wish you could buy it,” Pritchett said. Casey’s exhibit opened in early September has been extremely popular.

“It is an amazing exhibit,” Pritchett said. “There are paintings, sculptures and installations and every piece is vintage Mary Ann. Seeing it once is not enough.”

Casey said the Stories & Totems exhibition is the realization of a longtime desire to create an exhibit that would honor the connection of the past to the future and role stories play in bringing harmony and balance to the world. In each of Casey’s 30 paintings featured in Stories & Totems, there is a story – Casey’s story and the story of everyone who views the exhibit.

“I’m a product of the rural South and of days gone by,” Casey said. “That place and those times have shaped me. I feel a strong connection to those places and those times. Life is all about being connected to the past, to the right now and to the future. Stories –and totems — connect us to times and to places and to each other in a way nothing else can.”

Casey will lead an art talk for those who want to know more about her artwork and hear some of the “stories” told through the work.

“We invite everyone to come and visit with the artists and enjoy the fellowship of friends and neighbors,” Pritchett said. “We’ll have refreshments and it will be a casual and fun evening in downtown Troy.”