Going once: The Baum School of Arts” 34th Annual Art Auction is May 18 at the school. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction of more than 200 pieces of art displayed in the David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries. During this time, attendees may enjoy a buffet dinner from Catering by Karen Hunter in the Fowler Community Room. Tickets are available for the dinner. Auctioneer Boris Wainio begins the live auction at 8 p.m. of more than 100 pieces of art up for bid, including, above, “Country Road,” William Weldon Swallow (oil; 19.5” x 23”). Preview Night, 6-8 p.m. May 16, at the Baum School is open to the public. The auctioneer and Baum School staff will be available to answer questions about the pieces in the silent and live auctions. Images of auction items are online: baumschool.org. Proceeds benefit The Baum School of Art’s mission of enriching lives through arts education. Tickets: Baum School of Art, 510 Linden St., Allentown; baumschool.org; 610-433-0032

Student plays: Touchstone Theatre presents the 14th Young Playwrights’ Festival, 7 p.m. May 18, Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center. Plays written by local elementary, middle and high school students are directed by Touchstone Ensemble Members and performed by Young Playwrights’ Lab teaching artists,Touchstone actors, community performers and area school students. There’s a post-show Gala Reception in the Black Box Theatre in Zoellner. Young Playwrights’ Lab is an eight-week arts and literacy residency developed by Touchstone and the Bethlehem Area School District to improve students’ attitudes toward writing and to provide a platform for creative self-expression. Tickets: touchstone.org; 610-867-1689.