Karen Hartman has firsthand experience with children with autism. Her nephew was diagnosed with the condition at an early age and she watched him and his parents deal with the disorder.

Now, as director of operations for South Arts, she thought it might benefit others if the nonprofit offered art classes for those with autism to express themselves.

"Part of South Arts' mission is to bring art to the entire community including those with physical and mental disabilities," said Ms. Hartman, of Green Tree.

As director of operations, Ms. Hartman finds places to schedule art classes in the South Hills. Those locations have included the Bethel Park Recreational Center, the Peters Township Recreational Center and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair.

In summer 2008, South Art offered art classes to youngsters with autism at the Westminster site; classes taught different media, including watercolor, clay and acrylics. The sessions attracted about 15 students.

"We did very simple projects and permitted parents to sit in with their child for class," said Ms. Hartman, who taught the classes.

Then she organized weekly classes for autistic youth the fall of 2008, but got very little response .

"We took a break to rethink the program," said Ms. Hartman, who has a bachelor's degree in studio arts from Duquesne University. "We tried to make the classes really affordable, offering them for $10 a class. We'd like to have offered them free of charge, but would need grant money in order to do that."

In the fall of 2010, South Arts again decided to start up its Art for Autism program. Information was posted on Westminster's website and in its brochure "WROC," short for Westminster Recreations and Outreach Community. Ms. Hartman also took the brochures to the Ultra Party in Mt. Lebanon in August, a giant block party that served as a fundraiser for autism research.

Despite her efforts, the program again had such a low response, the classes were canceled.

"We need at least three students to make a class practical," Ms. Hartman said. "We're hoping that the new series of Saturday classes ... will bring in more students."

The classes, open to boys and girls, will again allow parents to sit with their children. The series will open Jan.22 with "Sculpture with Air Dry Clay," a class that has the students make a simple pinch pot or coil pot.

On Feb.26, "Watercolor Painting" will allow the students to create a beautiful watercolor painting of a sunset and give it texture by adding salt or using blotting techniques.

The March 19 class, "Pastels," will invite students to create a colorful spring scene by blending colors, and the April 23 class, "Canvas" will show students how to paint an Easter scene embellished with glitter.

The cost of each class is $15, which includes all materials. For those who take all four classes, the cost is $45. Each class will run from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. At the end of the sessions, the students will be able to take their work home.

"In the past, we had some of the finished paintings hang in a small gallery at the church office and we plan to do this again with our upcoming series," Ms. Hartman said

The classes will be taught by Ms. Hartman with assistance from Robyn Graham, a South Arts instructor who also works with children with special needs. All sessions will take place in the Fellowship Hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Road, Upper St. Clair.

Details: 412-835-6630.