Starting this month, the Lower Alabama Arts Coalition will offer weekly art lessons for elementary and middle schoolers.

Shelia Rhea with the LAAC said classes will be held on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. beginning Sept. 5 with instructor Liz Reid.

“The children will paint with acrylics and watercolors, work with paper mache, clay and mosaic tiles and possibly even do basket weaving,” Rhea said. “This class will be for children of elementary and middle school ages. They should wear clothing that Mom or Dad would not mind getting dirty.  We do have aprons, but painting can be messy.

“Art uses both sides of the brain, and 33 percent of children are visual learners,” she said. “Kids who make art usually make better grades in math and science. It improves hand-eye coordination. It promotes self-esteem. Art helps children think openly, to be questioners rather than responders.

“It also encourages creative thinking and problem solving, and basically, art nourishes the soul,” she said. “We can’t wait to see what they create.”

Cost is $100 a month and all supplies are provided.

The class size will be limited, so call 334-222-3205 or come by 116 East Three Notch to register.