A pine bough encrusted in ice. The snow-covered hills of Appalachia. Burr Oak State Park's fall foliage at its best. Photographs of these and other scenes from the region, as captured through the lenses of area high school students, are the focal point of the College of Education's second annual art auction.

The auction, which this year will benefit the art program at Miller High School in Corning, is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in McCracken Hall's gallery. About 20 photographs will be sold at the silent auction. The photographs, along with other pieces produced by Miller High School students, have been displayed in McCracken's hallways since an April art exhibit opening,

The idea for the auction resulted from College of Education Dean Renée A. Middleton's ongoing visits to area school districts.

"Visiting the schools made me realize that we need ways to bring the community into the College of Education," she said. "This is a way to complete the circle and bring teachers, parents and students together for a wonderful event."

In addition to providing an opportunity to showcase the students' work, Thursday's auction will generate funds for Miller High School's art program -- an especially admirable goal considering art offerings often are among the first to suffer in times of tight school district budgets.

The student photographers will earn half of the money raised by the sale of their works.

The College of Education piloted the auction program last year, raising about $2,500 that was divided among six area schools. This year, organizers narrowed the event to one school district in hopes the money raised would have a greater impact and to bring more attention to individual students' work.

Thursday's auction is open to the public, and organizers are hoping their grassroots marketing efforts will produce a strong showing of community members as well as Ohio University faculty, staff and students. Refreshments will be served.