GULF SHORES, Ala. — Ten Gulf Shores High School art students along with several other area artists will showcase their talents Monday at an art exhibit and silent auction at the Orange Beach Art Center.

The event is sponsored by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Educational Foundation and funds raised will benefit the GSHS art department.

“I’m excited about this show,” event coordinator Kathy Albers said. “We have many wonderful artists in our schools.

“This exhibit will give them a chance to showcase their talents alongside some of the finest professional artists this area has to offer.”

Albers, who owned a fine art gallery in Memphis, Tenn. for 20 years but now resides in Gulf Shores, said Monday’s show will be like an art gallery opening.

“Patrons will be able to browse the artwork and then place a bid via the silent auction,” she said. “While much of the exhibited art will be of a fine art nature, there will be something for everyone.”

She said glass blowers from The Hot Shop, at the art center, will have 50 art glasses for sale at an exceptional price.

“These glasses will sell for $20 each, a wonderful walk away gift,” she said.

The student artists whose works will be on display were given a free hand to execute a work of art for the exhibit.

“The students were given a format size for their works by GSHS art teacher Leah White,” Albers said. “Outside of that parameter, they were able to create anything they wanted.”

Albers said the work on display will be of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. Albers said she carefully selected the professional artists to reflect the best of what this area has to offer.

“Each of the artists has a connection with the Gulf Coast,” she said.

The lineup of professional artists for the exhibit is impressive.

“We’ll have glass art pieces by Sam Cornman, Joe Thompson and Joe Hobbs — all associated with The Hot Shop,” Albers said. “We’ll also have acrylic collages on paper by Mary Ann Lamm, nautical photography by Frank Brueske, basketry by Liz Lehman, and many other wonderful pieces that will entice the visual senses.”

Albers said she would like to thank Orange Beach Art Center Director Wanda Price for allowing the exhibit to be held at the center.

“It’s a perfect location for the exhibit,” she said. “I can’t think of a better place.”

According to foundation President Nick Wilmott said Sherry Odom, Karen Hameroff and chef Tricia Horton of Tipseas in Orange Beach were responsible for catering food for the event, which will also feature wine and soft drinks.

“They have been big supporters of the foundation in the past and they are continuing to show their interest in helping our schools by catering the art exhibit,” he said.

Wilmott said this exhibit and auction will be an important part of funding for the GSHS art department.

“We’ve all read in the newspapers and seen on television the cutbacks that had to be made this year in school funding. Programs for the arts were not immune to these cuts,” he said. “Our goal is to raise enough money so our art students at Gulf Shores High School have the tools they need to continue to receive quality art instruction at school.”

The show will take place Monday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the art center, located at 26389 Canal Road. Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $7 for students. They may be purchased at the art center, Gulf Shores High School, through any Educational Foundation member or at the door the night of the event.

“I hope this event turns into an annual fundraiser for the educational foundation,” Wilmott said. “I am pleased that the community is embracing the high school art program through its participation in Monday’s auction. We are blessed to have talented people in our area willing to share their works of art at a fraction of what it is worth so the high school art program can benefit.”

For more information on the Gulf Coast Educational Foundation, go to their Web site agcaef.com or call Wilmott at 747-2418.