Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

These 12-inch-square artworks are among the over 50 that will be included in the annual "12 x 12" fund-raiser sponsored by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Friends of the Visual Arts. The exhibition opens Thursday, July 1, and concludes with a closing party on Saturday, July 10.

Local artists' 12-inch-square artwork that is included in the annual Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Friends of the Visual Arts' "12 x 12" scholarship fund-raiser will be on display at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches Thursday, July 1, through Saturday, July 10. Summer hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Over 50 pieces by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ alumni, faculty members and graduate students, as well as nationally known and community artists, will be displayed anonymously and available for pre-sale for $250 each through Friday, July 9.

At the closing party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, each remaining piece will then be available for $100 on a first-come, first-served basis. A final raffle will take place at 8:15 p.m. All proceeds from the event will be used for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ School of Art student scholarships.

"This is your chance to build or add to your art collection," said Marty Prince, president of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Friends of the Visual Arts. "And once you purchase the piece, we'll reveal the artist's name!"

"Last year's crowd had a wonderful time, labeling the closing night as a 'great date night,'" said Christian Cutler, director of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ galleries. "We encourage the public to come enjoy the music, food and beverages and help us exceed the $4,000 we raised in 2009 for scholarships benefiting Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ visual arts students."

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. Hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about the fund-raiser, please call (936) 468-1131.