ROCKPORT — “Art to Collect Now,” an exhibition of 100 works contributed by artists participating in the Center for Maine Contemporary Art’s 34th Benefit Art Auction, opened with a reception Saturday.

The 2011 auction will take place on July 31 at Point Lookout in Northport. The event is CMCA’s largest fundraiser, providing support for the non-profit organization’s operations, exhibitions and programs. Artists choose to donate either a portion or all of the proceeds to CMCA.

The auction preview begins at 4:30 p.m. July 31, followed by a catered dinner and the auction. Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will be the auctioneer. Tickets to the auction and dinner are $125, and can be ordered by calling CMCA at 236-2875. Absentee bids are permitted.

Pieces to be auctioned include work in oil and acrylics by Janice Anthony, Gideon Bok, Mary Bourke, Katherine Bradford, Avy Claire, Jane Dahmen, Scott Davis, Nicole Duennebier, Ingrid Ellison, Alan Fishman, Linden Frederick, Philip Frey, Harold Garde, Nancy Glassman, Ken Greenleaf, Eric Hopkins, Jon Imber, William Irvine, Barbara Kassel, Richard Keen, Monica Kelly, T. Allen Lawson, Frederick Lynch, Ed Nadeau, Colin Page, Dennis Pinette, Robert Pollien, Holly Ready, Alison Rector, Michael Reece, Bjorn Runquist, Tollef Runquist, Abby Shahn, Lesia Sochor, Alexandra Tyng, Tim Van Campen, David Vickery, Sam Vokey, Mark Wethli, Susan Williams, Deborah Winship, Sharon Yates and Dudley Zopp.

Watercolor and gouache paintings will be provided for auction by George Bayliss, Alan Clark, David Dewey, Kathleen Florance, Joseph Haroutunian, Jill Hoy, Frederic Kellogg, Honour Mack, Antonia Munroe, Justin Richel, Paul Rickert, Jessica Stammen and Susan Headley Van Campen.

Prints, drawings and other works on paper will be provided by Susan Amons, Will Barnet, Sam Cady, Chris Clarke, Lois Dodd, Lauren Fensterstock, Anna Hepler, Charlie Hewitt, Alison Hildreth, Robert Indiana, Dahlov Ipcar, Yvonne Jacquette, Celeste Roberge, Kate Russo, Carol Sloane, Andrea Sulzer, Don Voisine and John Wissemann.

Photography will be provided by Thomas Birtwistle, Marcie Jan Bronstein, John Paul Caponigro, Tillman Crane, Jed Devine, Dan Dowd, Jon Edwards, Patrisha McLean, Jenifer Mumford, Peter Ralston, Liv Kristin Robinson and Todd Watts. Sculpture is by J.T. Gibson, Harvey Peterson and Barbara Sullivan, and pottery is provided by Simon van der Ven.

Mixed media by Mary Barnes, John Bisbee, Jesse Gillespie, Stew Henderson, Jeff Kellar, Estelle Shevis, Ann Slocum, Joyce Tenneson, Shoshannah White and Henry Wolyniec will also be auctioned.

The CMCA is located at 162 Russell Ave.