FARMINGTON – The deep reds swirl into even darker purples and blues, seeming to divide and run like an ancient riverbed on some forgotten planet. What looks like an image beamed from the far reaches of the universe is actually an acrylic pour painting from an elementary student at Naaba Ani Elementary School in Bloomfield.

During the school’s annual Hanging of the Greens event Thursday, 29 paintings by fourth and fifth graders will be auctioned off from 6 to 7:30 p.m., according to the school’s announcement. The abstract paintings, in various colors, are achieved when multiple acrylic paints are poured onto the canvas, and then topped with a high-gloss resin.

The paintings were created while the students learned about abstract expressionism. All of the proceeds will be used toward an educational, art-enrichment field trip for the students at Naaba Ani, organizer and visual arts teacher Wendy Thacker said.

The minimum bid is $25, and the bidding will go up in whole dollar increments.

The 16-inch by 20-inch paintings can be viewed and bid on either in person at the school or on the event’s Facebook page. Winning bidders will be contacted at the end of the auction.

lweber@durangoherald.com