As usual, Rio Rancho's big "chair-ity" event, Seats & Eats, means treats for Rio Rancho Public Schools students.

And that's "treats" as in assets and enhancements for the classroom, not treats as in what kids get at Halloween.

Seats & Eats is the prime-time fundraiser for the Rio Rancho Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that's now 13 years old. The seventh annual Seats & Eats is set for April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort.

The mission is to enhance education through grants that fund innovative teaching within RRPS, and those funds are raised via the primary fundraiser, Seats & Eats. Last November, more than $56,000 was doled out to area schools and teachers throughout Rio Rancho, after the winners had gone through a competitive grant process.

The participating artists, sculptors and the like delivered their works at Presbyterian Healthcare last week, when many people got an early look at what will be auctioned.

All told, more than two-dozen pieces, several of them considered fine art, will be auctioned off; among them is a headboard for a king-sized bed from the historic La Posada Hotel in Albuquerque. That headboard will be painted by Gabe Marquez, an artist annually featured at the Spanish Market in Santa Fe.

Other notable artists who have donated artwork include Mike Godwin, the owner of Ernest Thompson Furniture of Albuquerque, who has designed a coffee table; Tatum sculptor Curtis Fort, who created a sculpture of Apache leader Cochise, plus an end table for its display; former New Mexican, and now Texan artist Tamara Rymer, who donated a framed print; internationally known painter Michael Otaski, who created a 21-inch tea table and a painting for the event; and Rio Rancho artist Bill Landing, whose donation of "The Crest Moon Swan" is a 16x20 framed "giclee."

Additionally, Rio Rancho Mayor Kevin Jackson has designed and donated a coffee table.

"Our efforts mean students throughout the district will have opportunities to expand their learning and participate in projects that might not otherwise be possible," said Bob Cummings, president of the RREF. "We have a great time seeing this money enjoyed by classrooms all over New Mexico.

"There's a wide variety of pieces ... a pretty wide range of artistic vision," he said.

Local restaurants provide the food for the event. State Rep. Tom Swisstack will again be this year's master of ceremonies. Corporate sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are available.

Tickets cost $50 per person and are available at the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber or by calling 314-6884. (Dress that evening is "business casual." For more information on the event, visit www.rref.org.\

"We always accept walk-ups," Cummings said, anticipating a full house.