Tracy van der Heiden of St Edward’s School on a tiny art auction that promises to punch above its weight

Enthusiastic art collectors with a good eye would do well to head over to an unusual exhibition in Summertown tonight.

Taking over the The North Wall gallery in South Parade for one night only is a 'secret' postcard show to set pulses racing.

More than 250 anonymous, miniature works of art will be on display and available for purchase by the highest bidder at the event organised by St Edward's School's Art Department

Each postcard is signed on the back, but you won’t know who your piece is by, until you’ve parted with your cash, when all will be revealed.

The idea comes from the Royal College of Art’s annual fundraising exhibition RCA Secret at which all the proceeds from the auction go directly to charity.

With bids starting at just £5, this is an excellent chance to own an original work of art.

Will you be purchasing a piece by a noted contributor or a talented young artist who may be a name to watch? Contributions have been received from Maggi Hambling, Jon Snow and Lynda la Plante, with the show covering a wide range of media and styles to suit all tastes, including lino print, embroidery, ceramics, oil painting, watercolour, etching, graphite drawings, photography, collage and silk screen prints.

Delicate pastel watercolours, vivid silk-screened interiors, dynamic ink drawings and cartoon-style characters fashioned out of fluorescent felt are just a few of the array of colours and finishes on show.

The natural world is a rich source of inspiration: meticulously-crafted mountain scenes and stormy seascapes contrast with a swarm of indigo-blue 3D butterflies almost fluttering off their postcard.

More unusual submissions include a miniature 3D-printed captain’s chair in elegant rose gold sitting upright against its card; and a conceptual ensemble featuring the written word and scent.

Countless themes emerge from the astonishing range of work on display – from general topics including feminism and loss to more pointed, specific pieces such as Donald Trump depicted as a clown and an image highlighting the plight of endangered species.

The gallery opens at 7pm for viewing and bidding. Bids must be made in £5 increments and miniature works of art can be taken home when bidding closes at 8pm.

The Secret Postcard show is being held in aid of Team Archie, a charity supporting young people who embrace life’s opportunities but require advice, mentoring or financial support to realise their potential. Team Archie makes awards to young people to enable them to undertake further training or to seek qualifications in a wide range of areas including sport, theatre, dance, music and academia.

The question is, will you be in on the secret …?

  • The Secret Postcard Show
  • The North Wall, Oxford
  • 7–8pm tonight (Thursday May 3)
  • thenorthwall.com
  • 01865 319450