The Baum School of Art continues to adapt to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic mitigation by following last year’s online format for its upcoming 36th Annual Art Auction.

The 436 works of art overflow the school’s David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries, as well as packing the Fowler Community Room at 510 Linden St., Allentown.

Online bidding begins May 9 and ends May 15.

The works include sculpture, paintings, drawings, stoneware, collages and mixed media works by Baum School founders, faculty and Lehigh Valley-based artists.

Purchases benefit the artists and Baum School.

Also available for bidding are delightfully furnished doll houses and miniature room boxes created and donated by artist Barbara Kozero in memory of her late sister-in-law Sandy.

According to Baum School of Art Executive Director Shannon Fugate, the annual fundraiser began as a sculpture exhibition during the late 1960s and evolved into a crafts fair. In 1987, what had started as a minor art auction, became the major event it is today.

Although pandemic pressures caused the not-for-profit to postpone the spring 2020 auction to mid-summer, more than $120,000 in artwork was sold online to 250 art collectors in 14 states.

“We did far better in sales than we did in years,” says Fugate, adding, “It was a huge surprise and a real silver lining.”

Fugate hopes that next year Baum can to return to an in-person auction event, but plans to include an online component.

Sponsoring the auction at the Champion level are City Center Allentown and J.B. and Kathleen Reilly.

Patron level sponsors include Amaranth Foundation, Cathy and Scott Fainor, Janet and Malcolm Gross, Bob and Sandy Lovett, and the Zelenkofske Family.

In-person previews of the artwork can be arranged by appointment: Lauren Faurl, lauren@baumschool.org.

Information: www.baumschool.org; 610-433-0032