ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Escape your urge to give everyone matching sweaters this year and give the gift of art. The Orange Beach Art Center offers a unique and creative gift idea with art classes.

“You’re giving something that stays with a person forever,” Wanda Price, coordinator of the center, said. “It’s very personal. There’s something invigorating about learning a new skill or increasing a skill.”

The art center was formed in 2001 by the Pleasure Island Art Association and was taken over by the city in 2006.

Featuring every genre from nonrepresentational abstract to exacting realism, most artists showing are regional.

The center, which is operated by the city, offers classes from photography to pottery for an affordable price.

Ranging from $27 for a one day class to $140 for a six week course, art center lessons are the way to solve the problem for the hard-to-shop-for person.

Price said the center’s mission is to promote the arts on the island. Buying art lessons for the creative person in the family helps carry on the mission.

From beginners to those well-versed in a medium, all are welcome to take part.

“Art is one of those beautiful, wonderful things in life that isn’t reserved only for a select group of people,” Price said.

All instructors are professionals and most have taught or are teaching at a college or high school level.

“These are people who are degreed or professional in their field,” Price said.

Art lessons are a present that enriches a person’s life and gives them an experience they can always remember.

“I got started because my husband bought me my first art class 10 years ago,” student Lou Ann Schell said. “I like it here because it’s a nice community atmosphere and it’s affordable.”

Schell is taking her second course and said she has seen a positive transformation in her work because of the lessons.

Programs are also available for children, and currently there is an after-school guitar course occurring.

An arts summer camp happens every summer and exposes kids to all types of art: music, drama, visual arts and performing arts.

Book the camp early and introduce your child to their own creativity for Christmas.

“The art center is transitioning into an arts center, not just art,” Price said.

To also celebrate the holidays with arts, the center is holding its inaugural “Light Up the Arts” event. The Friends of the Arts Inc. will have a meet the artist, wine and cheese, live music and boat parade gala at the center tonight at 6 p.m. There will also be a drive for membership.

The Friends of the Art Inc. group works to improve the art center with fundraisers and by lending a hand to the center.

The next wave of classes begin in January and lasts through the spring.

Price urges those interested to book early because the snowbirds will fill the classes. For more information contact the center at 981-ARTS or visit orangebeachartcenter.com.