By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer PELHAM— Bottle tops, starfish and beaded peace necklaces filled the halls of the Linda Nolen Center Oct. 13, as the school put on its annual Art from the Heart Festival. About 80-90 students rotated through eight stations, dedicated to creativity and sensory.  The kids showed off their creative side by making canvas, sand and starfish art, stringing beaded peace necklaces, blowing bubbles and crafting print paintings. “They are painting real starfish (at one of the stations),” said Linda Nolen Center teacher Michaelle Ledlow. “We watered down the acrylics and they are just painting them like they want to, and then we are going to make a big collage out of them and hang it in the school.” The students also created one large piece of artwork together, made from bottle caps, which will be displayed in the school. This year, they are making a large star and have created many other shapes over the years. Ledlow said the kids enjoy getting to develop their senses through the creative projects during the day. Calera High School’s art program also sent about 30 volunteers to help out with the stations and classrooms. “The schools have cut art, so we try to just keep it in the schools,” she said. “We have a volunteer art teacher who used to work in the school. She started it and I just continue it for her, and she comes and volunteers in her free time.” The art festival featured a hotdog lunch and the band Festival Expressions, who have performed at the event for the past three years. The Birmingham-based band formed in 2011 and integrates rock, jazz, blues, reggae and organic electronica. Festival Expressions band members—Ransom Pewitt, Mike Sinopole, Kevin McClure, Marcus O’Neill and Josh Wiseman—entertained guests of the art festival the whole afternoon. Ledlow said it was a great event, and everyone involved seemed to have a good time. “It’s (so the students) can do their creative side,” she said. “Just so they can explore and do anything they want. It’s just free art.”