Art collectors, mark your calendars: April 25 is your chance to bid on great art by local artists, from James Van Nuys to Dreylin Mailloux.

In case you don't recognize that last name, Dreylin is a member of the Rapid City Club for Boys. His woodburning of a lynx will be for sale at the club's sixth annual art auction next week, along with more than 30 donated pieces from area painters and sculptors.

Scott Bader, the club's executive director, said money raised from the event will support arts and crafts programs at the Club for Boys. Many of the club's 1,200 members take part in the programs, which are wide-ranging.

"Over the years we've done everything from leather work to fine art painting and ceramics," Bader said. "It's just one more way to try and make a connection with the kids."

Phil Martin, the club's shop director, said boys have made sand sculptures, leather masks, birdhouses, pottery, candles and "junkyard art" of recycled items. Kids especially love the "free build" day when they can create what they like with scraps of wood.

"They enjoy working with their hands and being creative," he said. "I think they just really enjoy that imaginative play and getting to make something (they can take home)."

Keegan Kline, 10, liked making a car for the club's annual wooden car race, held last week.

"I liked the competition and how it's for fun," he said. His strategy, he said, was "not to follow my dad's rules."

(Oddly enough, Keegan's car won the lightweight division in the race, while his dad, club director Mark Kline, won the staff division with his car.)

One of Keegan's dreamcatchers will be sold at the art auction. Other club members donating their work are Mailloux, Joey Dale, Charles Thunder Bull, Matt Wendelboe Jr., and Sean Wolfensberger. The pieces range from colored-pencil drawings to a combination drawing/sand painting.

"The kids always do very well and the people, I think, appreciate seeing the kids' art," Martin said.

In the adult category, retired art teacher Jerry Jessen donated two hand-built stoneware "wall pockets" for the auction.

"I do it just because it's a good cause," said Jessen, who taught a pottery class at the club several years ago. "It's a good thing to do."

This year's auction features works by Jessen, Jon Crane, Richard DuBois, Van Nuys, Marion Toillion, Nancyjane Huel, Janette Sigle Foreman, Mary Hunt, Steve Roselles, Grant Standard, Bryan Bortnem, Jan Sohl, Gail Heilmann, Elizabeth Benusis, Tanner Lamphere, Kathy Sigle, Kristi Goodell, Alan Moeller, Roger Broer, Sandra Newman, Linda Swan, Richard Tucker, James Whartman and Benita Wheeler.

Jewelry by Anita Paige, Roger Wagoner and Iidiko Wagoner will be for sale at the auction. So will stoneware by Lonie Teachout, a charcoal drawing by Roselles and a painting by DuBois, according to the Club for Boys Web site.

Bader said the club hopes to raise about $60,000.

If you go

What: Sixth annual Club for Boys art auction

When: Reception and silent auction from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, followed by live auction at 7:30. A wine raffle is also planned.

Where: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Theater Lobby

Refreshment: Hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available.

To donate: Auction tickets are $50. People will also have an opportunity to donate any amount of money they would like directly to the club.

For more: Call the club at 343-3500 or go to www.theclubforboys.com.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com.