BANGOR – “Art is contemplation,” said Fran?ois Auguste Ren? Rodin, famed sculptor of “The Thinker.” “It is the pleasure of the mind which searches into nature and which there divines the spirit of which Nature herself is animated.”

Artists have drawn inspiration from the landscape since the beginning of time, and a group of more than 30 painters, photographers and sculptors from the Bangor area have come together to return the favor. The artists have donated more than 50 pieces, which will be auctioned off this weekend to raise funds for Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development, or BACORD.

The group successfully battled a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter development near Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor. In the process, BACORD incurred nearly $89,000 in legal fees, of which all but $14,000 has been repaid. The art auction aims not only to repay those fees, but to fund future conservation projects.

“We were trying to think of some way to raise money that would be interesting,” said BACORD member and auction organizer Suzanne Kelly. “It just seemed like an important match – the natural treasures of the marsh and the local treasures, the artists.”

The event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Courtyard Conference Room, upstairs from Bangor Wine & Cheese on Hammond Street in Bangor. Browsing, live music by cellist Hope Burgoiner and a silent auction begins at 5:30. Auctioneer Bob Duschesne will start the live bidding at 7. Several artists have created work specifically for the auction, and many of the works depict the marsh.

In conjunction with the auction, the Clark House Gallery will exhibit a painting of the Penjajawoc by artist Jeff Loxterkamp of Hampden. Owner Susan Maasch will donate 10 percent of the sale of any landscape piece in the gallery through the end of March to BACORD.

“It’s a way of me supporting these artists,” Maasch said. “It’s something we do want to support.”

Though auction organizers hope the event raises money for their cause, they also hope it raises awareness of the marsh and its value to the region.

“It’s not just a beautiful marsh,” Kelly said. “It’s also tied to the community.”

For information, contact Christina Diebold at 941-1670 or Suzanne Kelly at 942-0897. Kristen Andresen can be reached at 990-8287 or kandresen@bangordailynews.net.

Participating artists

Michael Lewis

Kris Sader

Robert Shetterly

Diana Young

Margaret Manter

Pat Vadas

Sally Bates

Alan Stubbs

Elizabeth Busch

Linda Packard

Jay Hanes

Crystal Jackins

Barb Guidotti

Ann Davis

Mary Hartt

Sally Arata

Pat Bell

Michael Grillo

Leanne Mallonnee

Jim Linehan

Ed Healy

Patricia Hurd

Terry Badger

Lou Cappiello

Kal Elmore

Mark McCullough

Wally Warren

Sandy Houtman

Rachel Collin Pherrien

John Wyatt

Palmer Libby

Kathleen Wall