Muslin dolls decorated by local personalities are preparing to be auctioned off tonight by Gold Country Kiwanis in "Oh You Beautiful Doll."

The organization sent 100 plain dolls to 100 Nevada County artists and community members, including such personalities as storyteller Utah Phillips, artist Jerianne Van Dijk, administrator Howard Levine, restaurateurs John Kane and Maria Ramos, and KVMR membership director Sandy Brown. They, in turn, created "art dolls," some of which area caricatures of themselves and some off which tell a story; such a one is Reinette Senum's Eskimo doll, which she said was inspired by one her traveling grandparents gave her to add to her childhood collection of 50 dolls from around the world.

Proceeds from this live and silent auction will be used by the service organization to give away hundreds of the plain muslin dolls to children via their doctors and caretakers in hospitals and care centers in our area. According to Kiwanis member Michael Young, "The docs use them to show the kids what kind of medical procedure they will have. Kids can decorate them if they want or just use them for comfort."

See some of the "art dolls" on display at 145 Mill St., Grass Valley, in the former storefront of Tess' Kitchen Store.

"The creative expression that artists and community members have put into transforming a plain cotton doll into a work of art is a feast for the eyes," said Jan Nottingham, who is chairing the project. "The community support for this project has been heart-warming. Bid on one of these once-in-a-lifetime dolls, just in time for Mother's Day gifts!"

The wine-and-cheese auction and reception starts at 6 tonight at Liberty Motors Showroom, Grass Valley. Sisters in Song are providing the entertainment.

WHAT: Kiwanis Doll Auction

WHEN: Tonight, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Liberty Motors, 600 Freeman Lane, Grass Valley

ADMISSION: $10 donation at the door

INFO: Contact Michael Young of Gold Country Kiwanis at myoung909@yahoo.com or 265-4159