PELHAM – The Alabama Wildlife Center is hosting its Creating is a Hoot painting class from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.

The class will be instructed by local artists Kellie Newsome, who teaches all over the southeast and is known for her vibrant portraits.

The class will be painting the wildlife center’s longest serving education ambassador, a 16-year-old Barred Owl named Coosa. The event will also include a mini tour of the AWC facility, light refreshments and the AWC’s educational birds will be out for guests to see and learn about.

The class costs $100. All needed materials will be provided. Sign-up for the class at KellieNewsome.com.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the AWC, said Scottie Jackson, AWC director of education and outreach. The AWC is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations and fundraisers to help with housing, medical care, food and treatment for wild birds.

Throughout the course of a year, the Alabama Wildlife Center will have cared for more than 2,000 of Alabama’s native wild birds from over 100 different species.

The money from the fundraiser will be used toward the continuation of rehabilitation and conservation efforts at the center.

With the AWC being in the middle of baby bird season, Jackson said the fundraiser is even more necessary. By the end of baby bird season, the center will have cared for 1,000 injured or orphaned baby birds.