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The Lower Alabama Arts Coalition invites the public to attend the opening reception of their “Blooming Young Artists” show Thursday, April 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This show highlights submissions from K-12 students throughout Covington County.

“We have many students attending classes at the Art Center who do not have a dedicated art program available in their schools,” said LAAC Coordinator Amy Findley Bowers. “We also have students who are homeschooled and enjoy meeting new friends and exploring art with us. Part of our mission as a non-profit organization is to offer kids the opportunity to explore the art world that they otherwise may not get

“We believe that participating in creative pursuits gives the kids a wonderful outlet for their imagination and a way to express themselves while boosting confidence and developing new skills,” she said. “It is a wonderful feeling to see a young person’s face light up when they have learned something new or conquered a technique that they didn’t expect to be able to do. We as an organization want to be the special place for all those kids who are not necessarily in the spotlight for athletics or called on first in class. We want everyone to get the chance to feel special for their accomplishments.”

Bowers says that she is a big believer in art as a form of therapy also, giving people, young and old alike, a way to manage stress and anxiety.

The LAAC offers children’s classes each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for ages 5 and up. Cost ranges from $15 to $20 depending on age group. They also offer adult classes and invite you to follow them on Facebook @LAACartscenter to view class schedules.