Picture caption: Kent Arnold, vice president of the Downtown Jonesboro Association, and Nancy Chrisman, executive director of the organization, hold two of 18 birdbaths that will be auctioned Saturday at a Downtown Jonesboro Association public art auction.

The Downtown Jonesboro Association's latest public art auction is for the birds.

In May Downtown Jonesboro Assocation members issued a call to local artists to put their touches on concrete birdbaths and benches.  The results will be on display in the 300 block of Main Street beginning at 5 p.m. today and continuing from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.  They will be sold at a silent auction Saturday.

Bidding on the 18 birdbaths and 12 benches decorated by 28 artists will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and continue through noon.  Bidders will be able to take home the items that day.

This is the second art auction sponsored by the Downtown Jonesboro Association.  The first was "Deer Season" in 2000.

"We don't want to do them too frequently because we take advantage of our artists.  They do this graciously by just contributing their time and talent in support of trying to make downtown into an arts and entertainment district," said Nancy Chrisman, executive director of the Downtown Jonesboro Association.

Saturday's auction was an outgrowth of the first such event.

"We had so many comments from people going through Business Expo saying `Oh, when are you going to do another one?'  We just started brainstorming about what could we do... And since it was spring and people were out working in their yards and getting ready to enjoy their yards for the summer, we thought birdbaths and benches.  People can add them to their yardscapes," she added.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.  The first-place winner will receive $300; second, $200; and third $100.  The top entry will be purchased by the Downtown Jonesboro Association for its permanent art collection and will be displayed in the downtown area.

Artists participating in the event include Shelly Barnett, Mary Chambers, Donna Chetister, Janice Crawford, Toni Davidson, Katherine Dison, Kristin Doyle, Jan Dugger, Gary Grace, J. C. Graham, Brenda Heringer, Sara Howell, Peggy Hughey, Maryam Moeeni, Hadden Moore, Luci, Murray, John Pasmore, Anita Rothgery, Betty Shaw, Lela Sheffield, Piero Trimarchi, Sara Trimarchi, Jan Troutt, Brittany Ward, Paula Wewers, and Gaylon Wilson.

Chrisman said the Downtown Jonesboro Association hopes to clear $1,000 in the auction.

Bruce Page and the Blues Heavyweights will provide entertainment beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, as well as during Saturday activities.