By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

IF YOU GO

What: Ashes to Art auction to benefit Kramer Elementary School's art program after a Dec. 3 fire gutted the art room. When: Preview of items, 6:30 p.m. Saturday; auction 7-9 p.m. Where: Kramer school, 400 W. Sycamore St., Oxford. For children: Miami University art department students are offering KidSpace in the gymnasium for students during the auction. Sample of items: Jewelry, pottery, photos, framed paintings, skeins of homespun yarn, homemade soap, passes to Hamilton's Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, services of a storyteller and six hand-bound copies of a book showcasing drawings and essays by students about the fire.

OXFORD - The drawing depicts a firefighter standing with his hose at the door of a room ablaze with bright orange flames. He's spraying blue water on the flames.

That rendering is third-grader Ben Dysart's interpretation of a Dec. 3 fire that destroyed Kramer Elementary School's art room. It is one of 50 drawings and essays included in six hand-bound books that will be auctioned at Saturday's "Ashes to Art" fund-raiser.

"This book addresses the kids' feelings about losing their art room," said Pamela Howard, an artist who compiled and is hand-binding the books, titled From Ashes to Art.

"I didn't put much narrative in it. I'm letting the children's art and writing speak for itself," Howard said.

Since the fire, the walls have been power washed, shelves removed and replaced, a new heating unit installed and a wall separating the room from a storage closet removed, bringing the space back to its original band-room size, said Principal Candy McIntosh.

This week, students were allowed back into the classroom for the first time. Fire damage was estimated at about $107,000, said James Rowan, district treasurer.

Furnishings and supplies have been ordered. Until they arrive, tables and chairs have been set up and donated supplies are being used.

Most of the damage - minus a $5,000 deductible - should be covered by insurance. The goal of the auction organizers is to cover the deductible and use any extra money to replenish supplies or add to equipment, said artist Debra Bowles, one of the organizers.

Oxford's artist community rallied after the fire, with more than 30 people donating their services or artwork to the auction.

E-mail suek@infionline.net