HIGH POINT – The Creative Expressions Art Studio, which serves clients at The Arc of High Point, will benefit from an art auction this week.

The silent auction, scheduled for Thursday evening at Swaim Design Center, will feature works of art by many of those clients, as well as a few pieces from artists in the community.

The goal, organizers say, is to support the studio, which gives Arc clients an opportunity to express themselves artistically.

“Creative Expressions Art Studio was founded about six years ago to give folks with disabilities an opportunity to express themselves through painting, and to have an opportunity to be recognized for an ability rather than a disability,” says Teresa McKeon, director of outreach for The Arc.

The auction will feature 60 to 80 pieces, most of which will be acrylic on canvas. There will also be some photography, pen-and-ink drawings and jewelry.

“Most of the pieces are created by participants of the studio, but we also invite other members of the community to submit their work for consideration for exhibition and sale,” McKeon explains.

Each piece will have a minimum bid, and bidders will be asked to up the bids in $5 increments. The Arc will also be selling reproductions of clients’ artwork on calendars, note cards, coasters, tote bags and mousepads.

In addition, tickets are being sold for a chance to win one of three prizes: a night’s stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, a giclée titled “Lost Boat Found” by Thomasville artist Bill Scherbak, and a bag of art goodies.

Artists will receive a percentage from the sale of their work, and the remaining proceeds will be given to Creative Expressions Art Studio.

Last year’s auction made about $3,000 for the studio, according to McKeon.

In addition, though, it’s a great event for the artists and for those who come to bid on the art.

“Many of the artists come, and it’s a huge thrill for them to see their art being bid on,” McKeon says. “Sometimes folks will even get an autograph from the artist, so this year we’re going to have a meet-and-greet table for artists who want to do that. It’s a nice way to kind of break the ice between folks who have a disability and folks who don’t have a disability. It’s going to be a great evening.”