By BRIANA HARRIS / Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Linda Nolen Learning Center is having a T-shirt sale to help raise funds for their Art From the Heart festival on Oct. 11.

The LNLC serves 95 students with severe special needs in Shelby County. Students, ages 3-21, are served in one of three programs: a multi-disabled program for students ages 5-21 and, the Star Program, serving students with severe emotional needs in kindergarten through eighth grade and the Eclipse Program serving typical and atypical students ages 3-4.

The T-shirts are on sale for $12 each until Sept. 30. Kim Falkner, art festival committee member, said Art From the Heart allows LNLC students to participate in hands on art projects.

Falkner said all of the students will contribute to a big art project that will be displayed in the school. In addition to that there will be about 10 art stations with activities such painting, drawing and jewelry making set up inside the school. There will be a live band and a picnic outside.

“A lot of our students never get to experience going to an art museum or a concert, so this will be a fun event for them,” she said. “Some of our students are nonverbal or have physical disabilities so art is a way for them to express themselves.”

Falkner said each art station is adapted to fit the abilities of each student so that no one feels left out or unable to participate. She said some stations are also designed to stimulate the senses.

For more information about purchasing a T-shirt, contact Falkner at kfalkner@shelbyed.org.