Art Squared opened Oct. 2 as the latest exhibit at Steelville’s Gallery Zeke.

The exhibit showcases artwork painted by participants of the Steelville Arts Council’s Summer Plein Air event, which was donated back to Gallery Zeke so that it could be auctioned off at the end of the exhibit.

The pieces are all done on square, 12-by-12 canvases given to plein air participants.

Lisa Herbst, a volunteer at Gallery Zeke, said that pieces in the Art Squared exhibit are a little something extra that Plein Air artists do to help out the gallery.

“During Plein Air, we ask artists if they want to contribute a painting to Art Squared, and then we give them the canvases,” Herbst said. “They take one, paint on it, and then donate it back. That’s what these are.”

Visitors to the gallery can expect to see a variety of outdoor, nature and urban scenes among the exhibit’s offerings — all of which depict real locations in and around Steelville.

Herbst said that during the Plein Air event, artists from around the state gather in Steelville for the week-long event. Artists are given square canvases and sent to a surprise location. Then, they get to painting.

“They get a map and they’re told where they’re going that day. Then they paint. They have to have it back here and framed ready to hang by 4 o’clock. Then, they’re judged,” Herbst said.

While some artists walk away from Plein Air with prizes, the majority choose to donate their 12-by-12 canvases back to Arts Council so they can be auctioned off.

Bidding for the Art Squared collection is already open in a silent auction format. Visitors can place bids Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., any time Gallery Zeke is open. Bids open at $35 and must be made in $5 increments.

On the exhibit’s closing night, Oct. 24, Gallery Zeke will hold a reception with wine, beer and refreshments and conduct a live auction for artwork in the exhibit. The reception is from 4 until 7 p.m.

At most of Gallery Zeke’s exhibits, there is a profit split between the gallery and artists. Because the pieces in Art Squared were donated, Gallery Zeke will receive 100 percent of the funds raised through the auction.

“The artwork here is donated, so this is a fundraiser for the Steelville Arts Council,” Herbst said.