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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

A new creative opportunity is open to youth with Painting for Paws art classes.

Alaina Cantley of Girl Scout in Troop 33700 is offering lessons at painting parties to raise funds for the Humane Society of Chilton County and earn her Silver Award.

“My Girl Scout leader wanted me to teach an art class for the art badge, and we thought teaching art classes would be a good Silver Award,” Alaina said.

Next, Alaina needed to decide on a nonprofit that would benefit from the project.

She knew the Humane Society “really needed some help,” so she decided to use the money raised from offering the classes to purchase needed supplies for the Animal Shelter.

Silver Award guidelines require that Girl Scouts donate items, not money.

Events can be booked through the Painting for Paws Facebook page or by emailing paintingsbyalainajo@gmail.com.

Alaina and her mother Amanda will come to the party site to teach the class.

Amanda Cantley said she serves as chaperone and keeps everyone supplied with enough paint.

Designs available for the painting classes include an octopus, lollipop, ocean scene, bird on a branch shadow, cat face, giraffe and turtle.

Alaina said the opportunity was available for both girls and boys.

Cost is $10 per person and covers all supplies needed.

Funds raised will be kept in a bank account opened specially for the project where it will stay until there is enough to buy supplies.

“I have a really big love for animals,” Alaina said.

To earn her Silver Award, Alaina is required to offer the classes for at least a year. However, she plans to continue even after the award paperwork is submitted, which includes logging all of the hours that she spends working on the project and documenting the process and results.

When it comes to painting, oceans scenes are her favorite “because the ocean Is like my happy place.”

“I kind of just grew up with an artistic hand,” Alaina said. “I’ve always loved drawing.”

She said she also had an “amazing art teacher” when she attended Clanton Elementary School.

Alaina is now home-schooled but continues studying art at an art studio in Montevallo.