If your children are interested in doing more than spending their summer in front of a TV or digital device, an Athens group is offering a way for them to embrace their inner artist.

Starting in June, High Cotton Arts will offer painting classes to children ages 6-13 as part of a summer camp program. Four different classes will be offered, officials said.

Tina Swindell teaches the Kreative Kiddos class 4-5 p.m. June 16 and 4-5 p.m. July 21. She plans to stick with an animal theme as children will use acrylic paint to make either an 8-by-10 canvas or 11-by-14 canvas of a cow at one class and a pig at the other.

“I try to keep it fun and teach a few techniques,” she said. “They can learn something and get comfortable with the paintbrush so they feel like they can do it.”

Swindell began painting 15 years ago as a hobby and now wants to bring her passion for the arts to children.

“I teach them with enthusiasm and try to teach them not to be afraid to paint, and to make it up as they go along,” she said. “I try not to make them stick to how I do it. I try to get them to create their own painting.”

As with all creative outlets, Swindell said she has seen some of her students become frustrated but they usually return to try again.

“The main thing is to make them feel successful so they keep working it because it’s just practice,” she said.

The Kreative Kiddos class is for children ages 6-12 and registration is required at least one day in advance. The class is $25 per child with a $5 discount for children in the same family. Registrations can be made by calling Swindell, 256-497-3838 or via email, TinaS@pclnet.net.

High Cotton manager Sonya Gordon and Sandra Bishop will teach a Surf and Sand beach-themed class from 9 a.m. to noon June 30 to children ages 6-13. The class is $40 with registration required and $20 in advance.

Gordon said she is used to teaching adults, but there isn’t a big difference when teaching children.

“With little kids, just don’t talk down to them and explain things a little more clearly,” she said. “Encouragement is the biggest thing, whether you’re teaching adults or children, just being encouraging to people — they need that and it goes a long way.”

About High Cotton

High Cotton, 103 West Washington St., is a project of the Athens Arts League, a nonprofit organization.

Gordon said the Arts League tries to bring arts to the underserved in Limestone County.

“(Swindell) taught a class with residents at the Birdie Thornton Center,” she said. “They enjoyed that so much and she volunteered her time to do that. If there’s a need for something in the community, we try to support it and do what we can.”

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/highcottonarts.