This summer, children at the Meridian Museum of Art are flexing their creativity by honing their painting and drawing skills in just one of several classes the museum is offering.

Classes started Monday for children between 6 and 12 years old, who will learn for a week before new classes arrive. 

“The program, most importantly, is just to inspire children to be creative,” said Cary Haycox, an instructor at the museum this summer and an art teacher at Meridian High School.

“I try to listen to the kids,” Haycox said. “Listening is one of the things we’ve lost. I try to get them (interested in) the class.”

To spark creativity, at the end of Monday, Haycox asked the students what they wanted to create in his class. Suggestions ranged from flowers to Sonic the Hedgehog. The catch: whatever they draw or paint, they’ll do it together, working on art fundamentals such as mixed colors, shading and composition.

Ten-year-old Kaitlyn Latimer, who is attending the classes with her younger brother, Joe, said she looks forward to drawing and pottery especially. A bunny drawing is in her future, she said.

Before a bunny, kids drew a cat Monday — simple circles and triangles, Haycox pointed out.

“I want to show the kids how simple lines and shapes can be used to make anything,” he said.

Other classes include Introduction to Art for 4- and 5-year-olds, pottery for various ages, jewelry-making and a portfolio class for teenage artists.

“The older the children are, the more we try to cater to a development of their styles,” Haycox said. That way aspiring artists hoping to land at the Mississippi School of the Arts or simply develop their own style to have the opportunity, he said. 

The classes are made possible largely by grants, said the museum’s executive director, Kate Cherry.

“If we didn’t have the foundations here in Meridian, I think we’d all be suffering,” she said.

Spots are still open in summer classes, which cost $60 each. For more information, call 601-693-1501.