The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters is hosting its 27th annual art auction Nov. 4 in the Whitehall High School cafeteria, 2940 MacArthur Road.

There will be a preview time starting at 1:30 p.m. The bidding begins at 2 p.m.

For the past several years, the auctions were held at Sheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua, but the group changed venues this year to generate even more interest.

Some of the profits earned from the auction will go toward an art scholarship for a Whitehall High School senior.

The event will feature auctioneer Scott Russell, of Birmingham Auctioneers, and will showcase more than 100 pieces of art available for auction.

October is National Decorative Painters Month and so artwork displays are currently set up in both the Whitehall and Parkland libraries for viewing.

The Lehigh Valley Decorative Painters became a chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, an international organization of painting enthusiasts, in January 1991.

The nonprofit organization’s mission is to generate interest and appreciation for the art of tole and decorative painting.

Decorative painting is defined as a “diverse art form that utilizes a variety of techniques and media to decorate both functional and nonfunctional surfaces.”

Tole painting is a style of decorative painting on tin surfaces.

The overall scope of decorative painting is diverse, incorporating numerous techniques and styles from the past and present, while developing the art heritage of the future.

The group in the Lehigh Valley has more than 40 members and is always looking for more.

The group meets monthly. Members get together for refreshments, announcements and a painting project taught by one of the group members.

Typically, participants leave each meeting with a finished project to take home.

Members participates in at least one community project a year, and this year they are painting bookmarks with proceeds benefiting the local library.

The bookmarks will be sold at the auction and anything unsold will be given to the library to sell.

They also paint memory boxes for women’s shelters each year.

Last year, the group painted eyeglass cases and distributed them to residents in a local nursing home.

For more information and for photos, check out the group’s Facebook page under “Lehigh Valley Decorative Painters.”

Visit the society website at decorativepainters.org or call Bernice at 610-837-3854 or Rosalie at 610-261-0867.