The Hockaday Museum of Art will hold its fifth annual Benefit Auction of Miniatures and More tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.

It's a small world at the Hockaday

The miniatures are paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and glass works that are 9 by 12 inches or smaller, by more than 60 of the finest artists from around the Northwest.

This year's invitational fine-art exhibition and auction also includes a selection of larger works, as well as the popular "Wall of Real Miniatures," with postcard-sized works and small pottery pieces that will be sold as a 100 percent donation by the artist to the museum.

All artwork will be sold by silent auction in one night only to benefit the museum's exhibit and education programs.

The 2006 People's Choice Purchase Award Winner, selected by the more than 120 attendees of the auction preview party held May 5, is "Wilderness Pond", an oil painting by Jeff Walker of Fort Shaw, Mont.

This piece will be purchased through the museum's Art Acquisition Fund for its permanent collection. Past winners of this award include R.E. Pierce, Frank Hagel, Joe Abbrescia and Mark Ogle.

This year's auction features more than 90 pieces. Auction prices starti at $20. A diverse group of artists are represented in this invitational event, including Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, Tom Saubert, Paul Waldum, Donna Gans, Mark Ogle, Frank Hagel, Karen Vance, Linda Tippetts, Sherry Salari Sander, Brent Cotton and Bye Bitney.

Tickets to the Hockaday Benefit Auction of Miniatures and More are $40 for museum members, $45 for nonmembers, and $50 at the door (if available).

New this year is a special dinner and auction ticket, which includes dinner following the auction in the KM Building's Mezzanine Ballroom by Red's Wines & Blues.

Dinner and auction tickets are $80 for museum members and $85 for nonmembers.

To purchase tickets, call 755-5268 or visit the museum at 302 Second Ave. E. in downtown Kalispell.