A group of documentary filmmakers are holding an art auction to benefit a middle school in Bed-Stuy and war orphans in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  The auction is an extension of their documentary, BROWNSTONES TO RED DIRT, which is about a unique pen pal program that connects the kids in both places.

They’ve already raised $26,000 of the $100,000 they’re aiming for to help both schools and they’re in the midst of a big fundraising push: an eBay auction of original art.

They’ve enlisted over 150 artists from children’s books, animated films, graphic novels and comic books to participate in the auction.  Each artist was given a plain birchwood postcard and asked to create a piece based on the theme “Pen Pals.”

They have amazing talent on board: Oscar-winning director Chris Wedge, Toy Story 3 Art Director Daisuke Tsutsumi, renowned painter Jeremy Geddes and legendary Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll “Big Bird” Spinney have all submitted postcards.

The auction runs until Saturday, March 13th at 1 PM PST.  You can view all of the cards on their eBay page HERE. All of the proceeds go towards building a school in Sierra Leone and creating a library for the kids in Bed-Stuy.  Here’s a LINK to the postcard blog with more information about the project and the kids.

I watched the film’s “trailer” and it’s quite wonderful. Have a look.