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ATTLEBORO - The Attleboro Arts Museum might not be located in a big city such as Boston or Providence, but what the museum offers seems to make up for that when it comes to the artists who support it.

In addition to the local artists who support the museum, there are probably just as many artists from outside the area who participate in the museum's year-round exhibits and support the museum in various ways.

Such support will contribute, as it does every year, to the museum's 18th Benefit Art Auction at 7 p.m. Saturday, when donated works from artists around the country go up for bid.

"Many of our donating artists are from outside the area," said Museum Executive Director Mim Fawcett. "This is noteworthy since these artists have elected to support the Attleboro Arts Museum, despite their distance. I am particularly touched by the generosity of these artists. They have gone over and above to contribute simply because they believe in the mission of our museum.

"Many of our out-of-town donating artists were introduced to the museum through one of our national juried exhibitions and the connection has carried on. A positive exhibition experience has prompted them to continue their creative link and support this cultural resource." And, it's not just the distance of supporting artists that is impressive, according to auction chairman and local artist Michael Evans, who notes the caliber of the donating artists, both distant and local.

"A significant number have their MFA degrees and teach at colleges and universities," Evans said. "Some are from the business community and others came to art later in life. Some are recreational artists and others are represented by one or more galleries There is work from emerging artists and professional artists. Some have even shown work internationally."

CHARTER WEEKS

Charter Weeks of New Hampshire is one such artist who has an impressive resume of exhibitions and recognition, but who still feels the Attleboro Arts Museum is an institution worth supporting.

Weeks holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of New Hampshire and has studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of Film Techniques in London. He has taught photography and design at Friends World College in Hiroshima, Japan, and has been a cinematographer for the British Broadcasting Corp.

For the auction, he has donated Item No. 161, valued at $225 and titled "Agadez," a photograph taken in Agadez, Niger, which was one of 10 finalists in the 2004 Smithsonian Photo competition.

Weeks says he got involved with the museum by having "the good fortune to be juried into several shows there," and says he continues to support the museum because it "seems to have a real commitment to both art and artists and also their community."

He sums up his reasons for supporting the museum by quoting an old blues song titled "You Don't Miss Your Water Till Your Well Runs Dry."

"If the Attleboro community wants to be sure that AAM survives they should support this auction and any other funding efforts because if it ever disappears it ain't coming back," Weeks said.

For more information about Charter Weeks and his work, visit www.charterweeks.com. SARAH HAUSER

Sarah Hauser of New York City works in a variety of media, including drawing, printmaking, mixed media, sumi-e painting, photograph and sculpture, and is represented by Woodward Gallery in New York City, where, in 2004, she had a solo exhibition of drawings, prints and sculpture, titled "Sarah Hauser's Geneticircus."

Her work has been shown everywhere from the International Print Center of New York to several galleries in New York City to one in Japan, and has been published in CALYX, Simple Printmaking and Japanese Woodblock Printing.

For the auction, Hauser has donated Item No. 215, a hand-colored transfer print titled "Baby with a Musk Ox III," valued at $250.

She became acquainted with the Attleboro Arts Museum in 2003, when she entered a small works show juried by Nick Capasso, curator of the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Mass. She was selected to exhibit a print from her series of solarplate etchings of dogs, for which she received honorable mention.

"It was a pleasure to work with Attleboro Arts Museum, so several times subsequent to that exhibition I have donated works to their benefit auction," Hauser said.

For more information about Hauser and her work, visit http://sarahhauser.neoimages.net or www.sarahhauser.womanmade.net.

HOOSHANG KHORASANI

Hooshang Khorasani of Louisiana is an internationally exhibited artist whose work is described as reflecting a bold contemporary style, with hues that alternate between muted and highly energized.

He holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting, has worked 12 years as a graphic designer, an award-winning illustrator and has worked as a self-employed artist in America and Spain since 1984.

His paintings are displayed in private collections across the United States, as well as in England, Spain and Belgium, and have been featured in exhibits throughout the country. Bentley Publishing Group recently chose 34 of his works for publication.

For the auction, Khorasani has donated Item No. 127, a mixed media abstract painting on gallery wrapped canvas, titled "The Road Not Taken" and valued at $2,000.

"I began my association with the Attleboro Arts Museum with the 'Out of the Blue' national juried art exhibition in 2008," Khorasani said. "I was one of the six cash award winners at that show."

Later in 2008, Khorasani made his first donation to the museum for the 17th Benefit Art Auction and became a member of the museum.

"As an artist, I like to participate in cultural events and also to help support community art activities," he said.

For more information about Khorasani and his work, visit www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/h/hooshang.

BOBBI MASTRANGELO

Bobbi Mastrangelo of Florida is internationally known for her unique creations based on water covers and manhole covers. She is a member of The National Association of Women Artists, is listed in The Marquis' "Who's Who in American Art," and her art is prominent in collections, including The Baltimore Museum of Public Works, The Heckscher Museum, The Islip Art Museum and the Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers University.

For the auction, Mastrangelo has donated Item Nos. 155 and 156, mixed media pieces titled "A Con Edison Cryptic Charm" and "A Buffalo Water Cover," valued at $350 each.

Mastrangelo began her association with the museum in 2002 when she exhibited her "Sedona" Fiber Arts Piece at the museum along with other members of The National Association of Women Artists. After that, she was happy to take up the challenge when the museum requested a donation.

"I have contributed and exhibited on the Attleboro auctions since 2002, often creating works specifically for the museum," she said. "I take great pleasure in helping the museum to achieve its goals."

Through her exhibits at the museum, Mastrangelo also exhibited some of her "Grate Works" and post cards at the Attleboro Industrial Museum in 2004, an exhibit she said was arranged by Attleboro resident Victor Bonneville, after he saw her manhole covers at the museum.

If you go ...

WHAT: Attleboro Arts Museum's 18h Benefit Art Auction.

WHERE: 86 Park St., Attleboro.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, with doors opening at 6 p.m.

SPOTLIGHT EXHIBITION: A gallery viewing of live and silent auction items, as well as raffle items began on Oct. 23 and continues through today during museum hours.

AUCTIONEER: The live auction will be conducted by Stuart Whitehurst Skinner of Skinner Inc.

ENTERTAINMENT: Live music by classical recorder trio Make We Music.

AUCTION TICKETS: $35 per person in advance or $40 at the door, which includes light hors d'oeuvres by Fine Catering by Russell Morin as well as wine and beer by City Spirits and Barefoot Wine.

CONTACT: 508-222-2644 or visit www.attleboroartsmuseum.org.

For more information about Mastrangelo and her work, visit www.bobbimastrangelo.com.

Janette Boulay can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-0993 or e-mail at janette.boulay@gmail.com.