The second annual art auction and dinner to benefit the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Centre at Bluffton, 601 N. Main. Proceeds support the BCE mission of annually creating and retaining 30 local jobs. This is a major fundraiser for the BCE and raised $7,000 in 2009.

The event will begin with an art preview and cash bar at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner served at 6:15 p.m. The art auction begins at 7p.m. and will conclude by 9 p.m.. Brendon Matthews is master of ceremonies and the night's auctioneers are Holly Spann and Greg Denecker. Docents are Gregg Luginbuhl and Tamara Rooney.

The auction features some 20 juried pieces of art, primarily by local artists. Contributing artists will receive 25% of the gavel price plus a free ticket to the auction. The auction items will be on display in Bluffton at Chase Bank, Citizens National Bank, and First National Bank from Wednesday, Oct. 13 to Friday, Oct. 22.

Tickets are $50 each or $300 per table of eight and include dinner. Tickets can be purchased at the three banks above and from all BCE Board members: Brendon Matthews, Fred Steiner, David Steiner, Mitch Kingsley, Ropp Triplett, Bob Neff, Dick Boehr, Wally Buroker, Jerry Lewis, Laura Voth, Marcel Wagner, Gayle Trollinger, Dick McGarrity (419-369-4216), as well as BCE interim executive director, Pete Suter (419-358-6400).

BCE is a not-for-profit regional business support center offering professional assistance and customized mentoring to entrepreneurs and small businesses. BCE provides a variety of opportunities for training, coaching, networking, and financing. For more information, visit BlufftonEntrepreneurs.com.