The Lake County Arts Council is happy to announce that it will hold a live art auction on Sunday, July 22, at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport.

This will be in the series of live auctions that was begun last year, of work from the collection of the Arts Council and from private collections.

The series of auctions has been successful in a number of ways. Art lovers with modest budgets got to bring beauty into their homes; artwork that had been languishing forlorn in rarely-visited closets got to please and dazzle once more; space has been cleared in the art storage area of the Gallery; and stored art has been converted into cash to pay for Pastels in the Park and such. And all of these worthwhile things have been accomplished in an atmosphere of friendly but intense interaction.

These auctions are the real thing. They don't have a dinner, silent auctions, entertainment, a guest speaker, or a fashion show. They are not auctioning off a tour to the New Hebrides, nor a two-week stay at the Cato Institute. Just art.

They have paintings in oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels, prints original and reproduction, photos, weavings and sculpture.

The work to be auctioned will be on display in the back room of the Main Street Gallery on Saturday, July 21, from noon to closing time at 3 p.m. There will be another hour for inspection on Sunday, from noon to 1 p.m., when the auction will commence. The auction will last for about an hour.

There will be a table by the front door where those who want to participate can sign up. There is no charge to sign up to bid. Refreshments will be served to those who are registered. All ages are welcome.

For more information, call or stop by the Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main Street, Lakeport, telephone 263-6658, or visit the Arts Council Web site at www.lakecountyartscouncil.com.