Every other Thursday, the Tamaqua Community Art Center is filled with the squeals and laughter of children using their imaginations. That's when Kate Lucey holds her arts and crafts classes.

Lucey plans several activities for the children who attend, but has learned there is no sense in trying to stick to a rigid plan. After all, toddlers don't really know what art is, they just know they like the pretty colors and being able to be messy. The older children are much better at keeping to any plans.The classes are attended by anywhere between one and two dozen children, ranging from the ages of 18 months to 9 years old. Lucey has something for everyone, no matter their age, and has been holding the classes since January. The children don't realize it, but they're learning as they're having fun. Painting, gluing, cutting are all fine motor skills. It takes discipline to finish a project, and working together on a project teaches its own lessons.During the most recent session, participants turned paper plates into pigs, sunflowers and the sun. They also sang songs and exercised a bit, smiling through the entire hourlong session.The next class will be held from 6-7 p.m. Thursdayat the art center, 125 Pine St. in Tamaqua.For more information, call 570-668-1192.