AUSTIN, Texas — Not too far from Austin sits an old two-story barn. Local artist Amber Gordon bought the property a few years ago and turned it into an art space. She holds classes inside the barn where creativity takes on a whole new meaning.

“I am more of a hands-on active ADD. Let’s get down and dirty and create with our hands,” said Gordon.

Gordon has taught in the public school system for more than 20 years, and has loved art for most of her life. She started Art Barn ATX a few years ago, where things can get a little messy.

“We smash glass. We make slime. We play with glitter. We paint. You have been told all your life, ‘Quit getting messy. Stay out of that. Don’t break that. Don’t touch that.’ So, you come here and people are like, ‘Are you sure I can break this glass?’”

The broken glass will be made into an interesting art piece. There’s even a drum set in one of the rooms, all covered in paint.

“And you get to bang on the drums and paint goes everywhere!” said Gordon.

She says there’s a method behind the mess. Gordon calls it art therapy. She says the messier, the better.

“As long as you’re getting messy and having fun, that’s what art therapy is all about and everybody needs art therapy. It’s the best way to release that inner child, whether you’re six or 60!” she said.