OPEF Student Art Auction is Going Once, Going Twice...

If you've ever been to an auction, you know the feeling — things move fast, you hesitate, you lose your chance. 

Lucky for you, there is still plenty of time to make a silent auction bid for the original children's art on display at Fly Bird, 719 Lake St. 

Proceeds from the seventh annual auction will benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation's Art Start program, which brings artists to local classrooms for hands-on instruction. Last year, Fly Bird's student art auction raised about $1,100 organizers said.

This year, sixth graders from and created vivid, marker-on-tin tracings of birds on branches. (The artwork has always been bird-themed, in a nod to the host location's namesake.)

The students were aided by Julian fine arts teachers Chris Worley and fellow art teachers Kristi Murray and Lynn Reising.

"It's a challenge every year when we get them hung up," Worley joked. "What are we going to do to top this next year?" 

Store owner Julia Nash said the idea for the fundraiser was sparked by OPEF-funded harmonica lessons taught to District 97 students several years ago. 

"It was just so cool, and I said 'Hey, let's support these guys,'" she said.

The eye-popping works, more than 80 in total, are on display in the store's front window. Those looking to make a bid are asked to see a store sales associate.

Bidding starts at $15, and there's also a $40 "buy it now" option. The auction ends Sunday.