The Meridian Museum of Art is calling all budding and advanced student artists as it gets ready to kick off its annual fall after-school art classes.

For years, the downtown Meridian art museum has offered after-school art classes in both the fall and spring for area students interested in exploring the world of creativity through painting and drawing.

Classes will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning Sept. 5 and running through Nov. 21.

All of the museum’s classes offer progressive, skill-based art lessons in a studio setting with students receiving instruction one day a week from a qualified art instructor, according to a museum press release.

These 12-week sessions will be offered in the fall, as well as another session in the spring, building skill levels in drawing, painting and multi-media. The cost to attend all 12 fall lessons is $180.

Classes will be offered in four age groups: Class 1 for ages 4-5, Class 2 for ages 6-8, Class 3 for ages 9-12 and Class 4 for ages 13-17.

Arts education helps students develop critical-thinking and hands-on skills, improve their visual literacy, build creative confidence and self esteem, and learn to appreciate other cultures. Students also rate it as a fun way to spend their time.

For more information about the Meridian Museum of Art’s after-school art classes, call 601-693-1501 or register online at meridianmuseum.org/youth-classes.