The Town of Cary welcomes all to an evening of art, music, dancing, and community enjoyment at the free fourth annual En Plein Air: Paint the Town Art Auction and Gala on June 9 at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. The silent auction which allows citizens to bid on nearly 40 original works by local artists will be from 6 to 8:15 p.m., with live music and dancing going from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Cary Arts Center will get decked out to become an elegant nightclub, where patrons may enjoy light fare and punch, a wine and beer cash bar, and a chance to come away with a treasured piece depicting downtown Cary’s spectacular landscape, history and culture, as well as some of the Town’s parks and greenways. The Jim McCann Jazz Project will perform during the event.

Through June 5, the work of En Plein Air artists will be on display at downtown Cary businesses, after which they will be moved to the Cary Arts Center. The public is invited to go to the businesses to view the art, then vote for their favorite work. Maps with lists of artists’ names, titles of works, and downtown location; as well as ballots can be picked up at the Cary Arts Center, The Cary Theater and the Page-Walker Arts and History Center. Votes need to be placed by 8:15 p.m. on June 9 at the Cary Arts Center to be counted. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places as determined by judges, as well as the People’s Choice. Winners will be recognized at the gala.

Twenty percent of all proceeds from the art auction will benefit the Relief for Recreation Scholarship Fund, which provides opportunities for all citizens to participate in recreation. The fund allows residents to apply for scholarships and/or reduced fees for Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources programs. Last year’s event raised $1,067.

For more information and an online gallery of the paintings, visit “En Plein Air” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.