Miniature art and a silent auction are on the cards this weekend at Cairns Regional Gallery.

An international mystery guest will officially launch Hidden Treasures, the Cairns Regional Gallery Annual Postcard Show tomorrow in one of the highlights of the local art calendar.

Presenting a diverse selection of more than 100 postcard-sized diptych works, there will be something for everyone to either keep or give away as a delightful and unique Christmas gift.

The works are offered for sale by silent auction until the closing night on Friday, December 19.

For those unfamiliar with a silent auction, the procedure is simple.

Intending bidders pay a registration fee of $5 to receive their own bidder number.

This number is used to register the bids on a card underneath each artwork.

Each bid must be a least $5 more than the previous one.

Initial bids commence at $35, allowing the first bidder the privilege of opening the diptych to display the entire work.

There is typically a frenzy of agonising and budget analysis on the final night as participants rush to register their final bids in the closing minutes.After bidding closes, there will be a verbal auction of the five works with the highest bids.

"Hidden Treasures offers an ideal opportunity to view and purchase works of high profile artists such as Ray and Diane Crooke, Lisa Michl, Euan McLeod and Guy Warren," gallery director Paul Brinkman says.

"The 2008 show has Archibald Prize winners, established indigenous artists, nationally recognised local artists and strong representation from our young and emerging artists."

Artists who have submitted works include indigenous artists Arone Meeks and Brian Robinson, photographers David Campbell and Rebecca Edwards, cartoonist Caroline Mudge, textiles from Lorraine Lamothe and Carol Coates, abstracts from Lenore Howard, contemporary art from Ross Hucks and Neil Parker, acrylics by exciting emerging artists Anne Ah Gee and Megan Lane and a host of other artists, media and subject matter.

>> The official opening of the Annual Postcard Show, Hidden Treasures, is at 6pm tomorrow. Entry is free and the public is welcome. For further information, phone the Cairns Regional Gallery on 4046 4800 or email info@cairnsregionalgallery.com.au

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