A benefit art sale will be held on behalf of the Children's After School Achievement (CASA) program on Friday, March 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of Holland, located at 150 Central Avenue near Seventh Street.

A benefit art sale will be held on behalf of the Children's After School Achievement (CASA) program on Friday, March 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of Holland, located at 150 Central Avenue near Seventh Street.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

The sale, "Creations for CASA: An Art Benefit," is designed to showcase the program's elementary-age students and to raise awareness of CASA, which is a community organization that is housed at Hope College. All proceeds will benefit CASA.

The benefit will include a variety of works donated by community artists, including watercolors, jewelry, ceramics, photography and a quilt. The selections will also include photographs and prints by CASA's 103 students prepared in collaboration with the Holland Area Arts Council.

Activities during the event, to which CASA's children and their families and the artists have also been invited, will include a reception with refreshments.

In addition to The Bank of Holland, the sale's underwriters include Creative Dining Services, "The Holland Sentinel," The Piper Restaurant, Structure: Interactive and Universal Insurance Services Inc.

The CASA program, which began in 1987, works with at-risk second through fifth grade students, focusing on academic and social development. CASA runs year-round, providing wellness education, cultural awareness and academic enrichment to the participating students. The program is intended to improve their academic performance and help them develop healthy, productive lifestyles.CASA's students meet after school twice per week for 1.5 hours per session throughout the school year, and in the mornings during a six-week summer session. The academic-year program serves Holland-area students, and the summer program serves Holland and West Ottawa as well.

Established by Marge Rivera Bermann, CASA was originally administered by Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) and housed at First United Methodist Church. The program moved to Graves Hall at Hope College in 1989. CASA's executive director is Fonda Green and program director is Bob Boersma.