HOULTON – The planned silent auction will not raise any voices, but Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation officials are optimistic that the event will help raise money toward a long-term goal of purchasing nuclear medicine equipment for Houlton Regional Hospital.

Painters, photographers and furniture makers will take center stage at Visions on Main Street this month, as the foundation partners with the art gallery to kick off its annual Silent Arts Auction.

More than 30 artists will be exhibiting pieces during the show, which will be on display from Nov. 3 through Dec. 1.

The health services organization raises money that is poured back into the community. The foundation conducts fundraisers each year and has raffled off cars and diamond rings to help fill its coffers.

Proceeds from the event will propel the foundation closer to its goal of raising $1 million to buy nuclear medicine equipment for the hospital.

The auction has been held several times in the past. Elizabeth Dulin, the foundation’s executive director, said Tuesday that officials have tweaked this year’s format a bit.

This year, bids will be taken and kept silent for the first two weeks in order to entice people to come back during the final weeks of the event. The format will allow patrons to determine whether they could be outbid and offer them another chance to nudge out any competition, said Dulin.

“It will be exciting to see how far along we come before we put the bid sheets out for all to see,” she continued.

In addition to the different media on display, barrels from Bradbury Barrel Co. of Bridgewater will be included in the show.

Dulin said participating artists are turning 15 of the barrels into works of art for the public to bid on.

Over the past few years foundation grants have funded a handicapped-accessible van, a defibrillator for a local school and a new pediatric suite at the hospital.

It has bestowed more than $1 million on the community.

Hospital officials said they believe that the nuclear medicine equipment, which uses radioactive isotopes to pinpoint a specific problem without having to scan the entire body, will enhance technology for staff and patients at the hospital.

A concert and several other fundraisers already have been held to raise money for the cause, and more are planned, Dulin said.

She added that she is excited about the event and thrilled with the participation from local artists.

“The silent auction has been a very beautiful way, over the course of the last few years, to assist us in the many endeavors that we have pursued,” she said. “Given the rural nature of all the communities we serve, we cannot begin to tell our artists how much we appreciate their caring and sharing all this great talent in order to benefit our citizens’ health care needs.”

To view the art being presented or place a bid, stop by Visions on Main Street during regular business hours. Bidding ends Dec. 1.