With items contributed by art and entertainment stars alike, plus an ambitious mission built right into the event's title, the Changing the World Through Art auction would seem to be a serious affair. But a closer look at the pieces up for bidding revealed a more lighthearted spirit. The proceeds from tonight's auction and gala will go to the Time In Children's Arts Initiative, an outreach program that brings arts education to under-funded lower school classrooms in New York City. And, as if to match the beaming faces of the beneficiaries, the catalog carries a distinctly bright, carefree aesthetic, not to mention some non-traditional offerings. For example, attendees can bid on a personalized cell phone message recorded by Hugh Jackman, a lithograph by the renowned Japanese pop artist Yoshitomo Nara depicting a rosy, flailing child mid temper-tantrum (above: Beah!, 2003) and a treasure trove of optical illusion flip books and toys. Inner children will be hard-pressed to resist the catalog's middle school magnetism. With a new neon video installation by Lee Wells and a consultation by make-up artist Jeanine Lobell (responsible for Interview's recent Natalie Portman cover), you'll be the coolest kid in school.

The Changing the World Through Art Auction and Gala takes place tonight at 8 PM at 1230 6th Avenue, 20th Floor, in New York. More information can be found here.