CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Do the photographs accompanying this story inspire you?

The executive director of Manna Meal soup kitchen sure hopes so.

Jean Simpson said the photographs were taken this summer at Manna Meal's community garden just outside of Charleston.

For the fourth season of Manna Meal gardening, the nonprofit group wants artists to help it celebrate -- and to help raise money for Manna Meal.

"We're calling on all artists to visit our garden, or a garden of their choice, and use that inspiration to create a piece of art representing their impressions of the garden," Simpson said in a news release.

Artists of all ages and in all media -- painters, photographers, potters, metal workers, woodworkers, stoneworkers, jewelry makers -- are invited to take part in "Art in the Garden."

The garden-inspired artworks will be auctioned at Manna Fest, the soup kitchen's annual fall fundraiser on Oct. 18.

Interested artists need to contact Simpson by 5 p.m. July 31 at 304-345-7121 or at jsmannam...@wirefire.com. The deadline to submit artwork is 2 p.m. Sept. 29. Work selected for the juried show will be announced Oct. 8.

The art should incorporate the theme "Art in the Garden -- so the hungry can eat."

"'Art in the Garden' exhibition and auction will be a major fall fundraising event for Manna Meal Inc.," the Manna Meal news release noted, "as well as an event for artists to showcase and sell a piece of work they create."

The artists will determine the base price at which the auctioneer will begin the bidding for their artwork. Minimum bids of $100 is suggested.

Proceeds of the selling price will be divided equally between the artist and Manna Meal Inc.

The "Art in the Garden" exhibit will be on display for one week in the grand lobby of the Clay Center beginning Oct. 11. The exhibit will end at 6 p.m. Oct. 18 with the start of the fundraising auction.