ENCINITAS -- As school districts around California cut programs to balance budgets, Canyon Crest Academy has found a creative way to raise money for its art programs.

Canyon Crest has partnered with the Art N Soul on 101 gallery on Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas to auction off original works of art on canvas made by students, staff members and visiting artists in a show from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The public school in Carmel Valley serves San Dieguito Union High School District residents as far north as Carlsbad.

All of the proceeds from the show, called the Envision Art Fair, will go to fund Canyon Crest art programs. Original works of art were created May 30 and 31 with donated materials by 43 students, four teachers and a number of guest artists at a 24-hour "Art-In" on the school's campus.

Cindy Blumkin and Paige Perkins, owners of Art N Soul said this week that they heard the school was facing cutbacks and wanted to do something to help.

"Helping schools is compatible with our mission to promote, cultivate and expose young, local and regional artists," Blumkin said.

All four high schools in the district raise money for arts and athletics programs, said Rick Schmitt, San Dieguito's associate superintendent of educational services.

"Each has their fundraising challenges and each has different fundraising models," he said. "It's interesting and exciting to see what ideas each school comes up with."

Tracy Yates, who heads the Envision program at Canyon Crest, said the event is more than just about selling art. She said it's also a chance to get the community involved.

"This is a great opportunity for the kids to see exactly what it like to be a working artist," said Annette Farabaugh, parent volunteer. "There is a certain feeling of empowerment and pride that these kids feel knowing they've participated in supporting their school."

Canyon Crest opened in August of 2004 with approximately 370 ninth-grade students who attended classes in temporary portable buildings. Attendance has grown to nearly 1,800 students, and this is the first year the school has had a graduating class.

Julie Rais, art teacher and coordinator of the school's digital/fine arts conservatory, said there is a huge assortment of work available and that each piece shows the individuality of the artist.

Gallery co-owner Blumkin said she encourages anyone who is interested in finding exceptional works of art, by local talent at an affordable price, to drop by and see what the kids in the community have to offer. She said the artwork is on a very professional level, ranging from realism to abstract to multimedia, accessible and very manageable financially.

"When you purchase art like this, you'll have an interesting story to go along with the piece that makes it more meaningful," Blumkin said.