Each year, we can count on Art in the Square to provide some fall color from local artists before the leaves start to change.

And for the second year now, Art in the Square's festivities are starting a bit early with a fundraiser for Challenged Child and Friends.

Stop by Frames You-Nique on the Gainesville square anytime between now and the day of Art in the Square — Oct. 3 — to see an array of small-scale paintings by local artists. The artwork is being sold in a silent auction to benefit Challenged Child and Friends, a Gainesville facility that helps educate and rehabilitate kids with disabilities as well as offer support and guidance for their families.

Last year's auction raised about $4,000 for Challenged Child, said Anne Brodie Hill, an organizer for Art in the Square who helped put together the silent auctions, too.

This year artists could choose between two sizes of canvases — 5-by-7 inches or 8-by-10 inches — and there are more than 40 pint-sized paintings now adorning a wall at the Gainesville frame shop.

"This year we have 46 paintings. They're all watercolor or acrylics," Hill said. "People have been so wonderful, stepping up and bringing their paintings in."

Bidding starts at $50 for the smaller size and $75 for the larger one, Hill said, which is an even better deal than last year's inaugural auction, where 6-by-8 paintings were starting with a $75 bid. Also, this year each piece has its own unique frame by Frames You-Nique that complements the picture.

Some contributing artists are members of the Georgia Art League, some will have paintings in Art in the Square and some participate in both.

Cumming artist Margaret Cameron said her Native American-styled piece came from a larger painting.

Known for her work on screen doors, Cameron used the detail of a Native American outfit as a tie-in to the larger painting she will bring to the Art in the Square preview party on Oct. 2 and the main event the day after.

"The piece is the necklace from that costume," she said of the Dakota Sioux regalia her neighbor made for a Boy Scout project. The authentic piece includes a headdress, hawk wing feathers and a breastplate made of quills like a porcupine's.

The larger piece is painted on a screen door. She said collectors can use the pieces as doors — they are fully weatherproofed — but others use them as interior doors or just hang them on a wall.

Two abstract pieces by local artist Rachel Q. Landers serve two purposes, Landers said. First, she said she wanted to provide an abstract piece to add diversity to the selection.

"As with my other work, I also wanted to reach out to other people, celebrating life and encouraging building a closer community," she said.

"I like creating pieces that could be something different to each person who views it," she said. "My hope is that they will share with someone else what they see and feel, and in turn share themselves and their experiences and stories that they draw from their lives."

Other small paintings up for bidding include a an enamel cross by Heidi Bowman and a pair of roses by Ann Alexander.

"I just think it's great to see what kind of talent we have in Gainesville," said Hill. "I'm just blown away by all my friends, all their beautiful art."