Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Johnson Center for the Arts welcomed two additional staff members on Wednesday,

Reba Allen and Richard Mays, both of Troy, have joined the staff as part-time employees.

Allen will be the first face visitors to the JCA will see and she could not be more excited to have the opportunity to be actively involved in the arts in Troy.

Allen comes to the JCA from Troy University where she was a graphic designer. She retired a year ago, after 42 years at the university.

Allen and Brenda Campbell, JCA executive director, attend church together and when Campbell asked, “Why don’t you come work at the JCA?” Allen didn’t think twice.

“It’s part-time, it’s fun and it’s an opportunity to be involved in the arts and with the community,” Allen said. “I’ll be here to welcome visitors to the Johnson Center. I’ll have opportunities to meet the exhibiting artists and learn more about the exhibits. I also will have opportunities to use my knowledge of graphic design to design promotional material for the JCA. I’m excited to be here. I will look forward to coming to work every day.”

Mays said, likewise.

“This is a great opportunity for me to meet people and be more involved in the community,” he said.  “I will work out front and behind the scenes, doing anything I’m asked to do.”

And, he will be comfortable either place.

Mays came to Troy from Waxhaw, N.C, after retiring as a sales manager for a national company. He came to Troy for a special purpose – to work on the Delta Chi house on North Three Notch Street.

“I’m from Montgomery and I came to Troy to play football but my knees didn’t let me do that,” Mays said. “I was a member of Delta Chi when the house was on North Three Notch. I had great times there and great memories. It’s an amazing house.  I’m interested in historical preservation and I like doing construction work. I want to do what I can to help bring that historic house back to life.”

Campbell said Allen and Mays will be valuable additions to the JCA staff and will begin contributing immediately.

“I look forward to working with Reba and Richard,” Campbell said. “The JCA will benefit from their talents and the contributions they will make.”

The JCA will remain open to the public during regular hours, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.