Youth art classes a hit at Hearst Center, Yazzy's at www.williamverdult.com

Young children are gathered around the small circle tables, engrossed by the project at hand. And when they are done with one, another is always waiting.

Messy Mornings at the Hearst Center for the Arts are just that --- messy. Kids ages 3 to 6 can partake in artistic activities ranging from stringing beads on a necklace to drawing or playing pretend in a pile of shaving cream. The center has offered classes for youth, teens and adults since opening in 1989, but classes were offered at the city-run Metro Gallery as early as 1974.

"We want to help children become aware of their creative abilities at a young age, all while having fun," said Mary Tiffany, the center's interim education coordinator.

But, the classes are usually about more than just exploring a child's artistic inclinations. Tiffany said each class, but especially Messy Mornings, also works to fine tune a child's motor skills as they create.

Kristy Murray said her 4-year-old son Ethan has become more artistically inclined at home and at school since beginning the classes this fall.

"He wasn't very artsy, but his teacher told me he actually went to the art table at school on his own." she said.

The class has also forced Kristy to step outside her usually clean comfort zone. The family now engages in more artsy projects at home, even when that means one or all of them might get messy, and Kristy said it's likely Ethan will be getting an art easel at home in the next year.

Tiffany said the parent education is an added benefit of youth art classes.

"These classes offer creative experiences, but also helps expose the parents to options they can engage the child in at home," she said.

April Gaff took the shaving cream exercise one step further at home, allowing her children to get artistic using whipped cream and candy sprinkles.

"They had a blast, and I didn't have to worry if they tried to eat it," she said.

As the children grow older their class options grow with them. The center offers at least three classes catering to the 3- and 4-year-old crowd, and even more as they hit preschool age. The Muddy series takes a child's fascination with Play-Doh one step further, allowing them to learn the basics of working with clay as early as 3 years old.

This session of Messy Mornings will continue through mid-December. The Hearst Center will begin accepting registration for its winter classes early next month.