A poster of the children’s book character Babar is seen. This is one of multiple Babar posters available in the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum’s From Their Walls to Yours art auction. The auction is a fundraiser event for the UPCM. Art from the old hospital was donated to the museum for auction to raise money for their Play it Forward campaign which provides families in need with free year-long memberships to the UPCM. (Photo courtesy of UPCM)

MARQUETTE — With the closing of the former hospital comes the removal of the hundreds of paintings that once decorated its walls.

UP Health System-Marquette donated all of the art to the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum to be auctioned as a fundraiser.

From Their Walls to Yours is an online art auction taking place now through Sunday.

“There are about over 400 pieces of artwork varying from pictures to posters to actual paintings, some certified, some signed by artists, some extremely large pieces, sculptures, statues,” said Sheri Kromberg, UPCM administrative assistant and store manager. “They have graciously donated it to us. All money that is made off of the art sale will go toward our Play it Forward campaign, which is where we donate one-year scholarships to families in need.”

The goal is to raise enough money to fund 350 of these memberships, she added, which costs a total of $47,250. Families gifted the memberships can visit the museum at no cost as often as they wish. The auction opened Friday to hospital employees and to the general public on Monday. Thus far, $2,210 has been raised, or almost 5% of the goal.

The Play it Forward Campaign is also being funded by area businesses, companies and Beth Millner Jewelry who is selling a fundraising pendant. A portion of proceeds from pendant sales goes back to the UPCM.

Most bids on the artwork begin at just $25 and all have a “buy it now” price ranging from $100 to $600.

The pieces range from photographs of Northern Michigan University hockey games, Finn Fest and the Mackinac Bridge to Monet reproductions, prints by Nita Engle and photographs from local photographer Shawn Malone.

“There’s some incredibly gorgeous pictures of Marquette, the lake, surrounding areas, Menominee, just wonderful pieces that showcase the nature of the U.P. and the sights of the U.P.,” Kromberg said. “It can be as close up as a flower or a bird. It can be something such as the lake, the breakwall, just all kinds; there’s something in there for everybody. We have some wonderful Babar prints from the children’s book, just all kinds of wonderful pieces of art that can complement your home and then help out the children’s museum.”

Auctions are open 24/7 until 11 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.32auctions. com/upcm to bid or visit From Their Walls to Yours on www.upchildrensmuseum.org.

This is the first of multiple art auctions to come from the museum. Check the events page on its website to stay up to date on additional auctions for remaining pieces.

Artwork purchased during the auction must be picked up from the old hospital emergency room entrance from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 or from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 27.

Those searching for a particular piece that is not currently listed on the website can email a description of the work to upcmkids@gmail.com and the museum will assist in locating it.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206.