The fourth annual “Art & Soul” auction, benefiting the Columbia Center for the Arts, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15, starting at 5 p.m.

According to Andrea Golts, co-chair for the event, the auction is the major yearly fund-raiser for the Columbia Center for the Arts. She said that because the center is a “community focused” art center, it supports a number of art events and programs that are not profit-oriented.

Trina Burke, co-chair for the event, explains: “Our mission is to create an arts-rich environment in the Gorge — not for a profit, but because we believe strongly in the idea that a vibrant arts community helps to enrich people’s lives.”

Golts emphasizes that the art center is intent on nurturing all art forms: visual, performing and literary.

She notes that the center houses an art gallery, a theater, a classroom and lobby space that can be used for special events.

Community members throughout the Gorge seem to agree with the idea of nurturing the arts. In addition to the auction, other fund-raising events over the last several years helped the art center become a reality and allowed it to begin operation in February 2006.

The auction will be held in the Center, located on the corner of Third and Cascade, in downtown Hood River.

As in previous years, both a silent and a live auction are featured, with auctioneer Steven Talbot returning by popular demand. Buffet, beer and fine wine will be served throughout the silent auction portion of the evening.

Burke said there is an amazing selection of items to bid for and here are just a few examples: Ireland House — spend an enchanted week in the heart of County Clare; a flight for four to Roche Harbor San Juan Island and picnic lunch; a custom acoustic guitar handmade by Gordon Mayer; Spring Gold Rush Cruise for Two by Cruise West; painting lessons by Cathleen Rehfeld; Blue Caribbean Adventures — includes accommodation for six days and five nights; California Cabernet’s “1994 Caymus Special Selection”; a Maui vacation condo; Arizona Sun Break townhouse; Polynesian dinner by Joan Chase; and many more silent and live auction items.

For the opportunity to view items before you arrive, go to the auction Web site at: http://www.columbiaarts.org/auction.asp.

Tickets are $75 each and there is a limited number available. They can be purchased in person at the Columbia Center for the Arts or by calling 387-8877 during center hours, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.