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Artists, artisans, craftspeople, collectors of objets d’art and all things handmade: you can play a part in creating a scholarship that will go in support of a local student pursuing an arts-related degree.

The Greenville Area Arts Council is hosting an art auction on Thursday, September 19 in conjunction with the Ritz concert featuring those homegrown talents, “Two Lane Hi-Way,” to raise funds for the scholarship.

Veteran Ritz Player and owner of her own downtown art studio, Artitude on Main, Stacey Edwards, is teaming with GAAC director Nancy Idland in organizing the auction.

“We are looking for people to contribute items that are handmade and special. Whether it’s your own artwork or hand-crafted pieces, or someone else’s — we welcome it all as donations,” said Edwards.

Paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, pottery, hand-sewn and smocked clothing, quilts, hand-crafted jewelry, art photography and more are all items mentioned by Edwards and Idland as great additions to the mix at the upcoming silent auction, to be held in the Ritz’s reception room that night.

You don’t have to be artsy or crafty to participate, either, the organizers say.

“You may even have a wonderful piece of art hanging on your walls that you are ready for someone else to enjoy in their home or office. Share it with us,” Edwards urged.

“I an donating a vintage quilt — maybe you have great shots you have taken with your camera of our downtown. We’d love to see things like that in this auction, too,” Idland added.

Those interested in donating items to the art auction should contact Nancy Idland at (334) 354-2802 or Stacey Edwards at Artitude on Main at (334) 318-8479.

The auction will open at 6, giving attendees a chance to browse and enter bids before Two-Lane Hiway takes the stage at 7.

The band performed a well-received free concert last fall at the theater featuring several of the veteran Ritz Players performing as vocalists with the group, which offers plenty of classic rock, soul and country in its repertoire.

“This year, we are asking that you either bring a canned good or two as your price of admission. Or you can make a monetary donation to the St. Thomas Food Bank to help them this holiday season. This is going to be a casual, laid-back kind of night at the Ritz, so please come on out ready to have fun and support a great cause — two great causes, actually — and hear some of our amazing homegrown talent, too,” Idland concluded.