Art, chocolate and a drive to save water combine this Friday at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, 1450 S. Atherton St., for ClearWater Conservancy's seventh annual "For the Love of Art and Chocolate" event.

The program combines nature-inspired works, which are available for purchase through a silent auction, and chocolate desserts donated from local bakeries and restaurants.

Kelleann Foster, who chairs the conservancy's committee for the event, said the room is set up with the works of art around the perimeter of the room and the chocolate in the center.

"Attendees can enjoy as much chocolate as they can possibly consume," she said.

The event will also offer free meringue lessons to attendees. The lessons enable participants to "dance off the calories" from the chocolate, Foster said.

More than 45 artists donated works to benefit the silent auction, which raises money to support ClearWater Conservancy. The mission of the conservancy is to promote conservation and restoration of natural resources in central Pennsylvania. The donated works offer a wide variety of art and items, ranging from teapots to natural stone pendants to photos and paintings. Although each work is different, they all share a common connection to nature.

Foster said a lot of the artists donate every year and are committed to the mission of the conservancy.

One of the paintings by Susan Nicholas Gephart, a Bellefonte resident who has been working as an artist in the Centre region for more than 30 years, will be featured at the event. Gephart is primarily a landscape painter and said that more than 90 percent of her work is of central Pennsylvania.

Gephart said this piece is smaller than some of her other works and is therefore a more intimate experience for viewers, letting them see the connection to the environment.

"In my heart, my passion for painting is based on the Earth and caring for it. This is a wonderful opportunity to show something more intimate and to meet people who care about the environment and art," she said.

"Ultimately, when someone looks at my landscape paintings, I hope they feel a sense of peace," Gephart added.

Another local artist, Boalsburg resident Ken Hull, also donated a nature-themed work to the program. The piece shows a butterfly landing on a thistle. Hull said the work creates a strong parallel to what the conservancy is trying to accomplish for the community's water through the use of a delicate animal.

"Our resources are so fragile, especially water in the valley. Hardly anyone is looking after it besides ClearWater [Conservancy]," Hull said.

Foster said starting prices for the bidding of the works will vary, with some starting as low as $20. Door prizes will also be raffled off, including a chocolate cookbook and gift certificates to a local restaurant.

"There's something for everyone," Foster said.

There will be slideshow going on in the room to showcase what the conservancy works on every day, Gephart said.

"What ClearWater is doing is opening eyes," she said. "Water touches everyone."