What does art have in common with the fight against diabetes?

They are both part of an upcoming fundraising event in El Paso which organizers call a "win-win situation."

The Hal Marcus Art Gallery will host the 2006 Border Art auction, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the El Paso Diabetes Association.

Event organizers said 112 pieces of art will be featured, all created by 47 different artists with connections to the Borderland.

Hal Marcus of the gallery said, "They are all local artists. We have artists with such great names... and this is a good way to come have fun."

He said it's also a good way to help curb a problem which is plaguing the local community.

Diabetes affects at least 85,000 El Pasoans. Henry Brutus, of the El Paso Diabetes Association, said about 40 percent of those people don't have access to health care and can't typically afford to pay for services.

Brutus said the goal is to raise $10,000. Not only will it help a worthy cause, but it can help promote the work of local artists.

"We always see things two ways from different sides of the border. There's a big influence of Mexican murals like Rivera with Mexican landscapes and southwestern, so we think El Paso art is unique," Marcus said.

The auction will be held on April 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on April 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The gallery is located at 800 North Mesa at Yandell. Seating is limited, so reservations are necessary. The cost of entry is $5.

The art can be previewed on Thursday and Friday at the gallery, or persons can click here to place an absentee bid.