Athens, GA, is enjoying a city-wide display of birdhouses, just in time for spring.  But unlike most birdhouses, these sell for hundreds of dollars each.

Over 40 artists from the Athens area have donated their work to the Ultimate Birdhouse Exhibit & Auction to benefit Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. While some pieces are fully functional birdhouses, most use the birdhouse as inspiration for works ranging from folk art to jewelry to ceramics, glass, woodwork, multi-media, even music boxes.

Because the artists have donated their work, and local sponsors have covered the costs of the event and its promotion and have provided a head-start to the fundraising pool, all proceeds from the auction bidding will be able to contribute directly to the building and renovation of affordable housing in the local community.  Athens Habitat builds efficient, low-cost homes which are sold via no-interest mortgages, and renovates abandoned multi-family units such as apartments and duplexes which are rented on a scale depending on income.

The largest number of birdhouse artworks are on display at the Lyndon House Arts Center located at 211 Hoyt Street in Athens, and can be viewed in the lobby until Wednesday, April 11th.  Lyndon House is open Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday from 9 to 5, and Tuesday noon to 9.

Several more pieces destined for the auction can be seen at Aurum Studios, located at 125 East Clayton Street in downtown Athens. The works may be viewed there on Saturday 10 to 5 and Monday through Wednesday 10 to 6.

Other works are on display at the offices of event sponsors, such as Austin Sumner Properties, CJ&L Real Estate, Athens Art and Frame, and Studio 21 Interiors. Each of these local businesses has sponsored an award to be announced at the event on Saturday, April 14th, at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Two large works, standing 6′ and 8′ tall, will be on display at the Botanical Garden next week, at the entry to the gift shop and Great Hall.

Tickets for the event are available through the Habitat website, or at the Athens Hab office at 532 Barber Street. Proceeds from ticket sales will also go toward creating affordable housing in Clarke, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties. Space at the event is limited, so those wishing to attend are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to purchase their tickets, because once event capacity is reached no more tickets can be made available.

Because of the enthusiastic response from the arts community, some works will be sold at a ballroom auction, while other will be sold in a silent auction.  Event doors will open at 7:00 on Saturday the 14th, when the silent auction will begin, ending at 7:45.  The ballroom auction will begin at 8:00.  The event will be catered by Epting Events and will feature a buffet, open bar, and live music.  Dress code is cocktail attire.