Cupertino artist Nancy Tector may have the answer.

Tector is joining with more than 50 other artists to stage a Valentine Art Exhibition & Silent Auction on Feb. 12 in San Jose.

"Love & Chaos Revisited" is the title of the event organized and sponsored by Professional Artists Network.

"This is a valentine to the community and it's a valentine to the artists, as they get 100 percent of the sale price," says Bette Linderman, one of the organizers.

There have been other valentine auctions, most notably one sponsored for several years by the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art before it was discontinued, however, none where artists were given all the proceeds from the sale of their work.

Each PAN artist is limited to one piece and may set a minimum opening bid.

There is no charge to the public to attend the auction and no charge for a bidding number. Successful bidders may take their artwork home with them that evening.

Each artist paid an entry fee of $20, with the money going to underwrite food, beverages and music by the Carl Wakeland Trio, a local jazz band.

Pieces up for auction include two and three-dimensional paintings, ceramics, photography, sculpture and collages.

While some artists are creating valentines with red hearts and sweet sentiments, many more are making their own statements.

Tector's creation is a mixed media piece using wood, fabric and other items. She's calling it "Gotta Have That Love."

The two central figures are "Agnes the Great" and "Sportin' Joe," with both of them clearly eligible for the senior discount.

"My intent in doing this piece is to glorify mature love with a touch of humor," Tector says. "Old people tend to be more direct, so I have used directness in my approach. Hopefully, their body language tells a lot of the story."

Tector, who has been active in the local art community for many years, says the goal of her artwork "is to create empathy between the viewer and the work."

The two figures in her valentine piece can be seen separately on Tector's website at www.ntector.com.

PAN got its start in April 2004 when artist Al Preciado hosted a barbecue to discuss the idea of forming an artists' collective "to support and empower its members by generating exhibition opportunities in both mainstream and alternative venues."

The group staged three shows in 2004 and hope that this valentine auction will be the first of many for 2005.

"We wanted to be as inclusive as possible," says Linderman in explaining that the invitations to participate went out to both members and non-members.

There are 56 artists listed on the invitations and posters, with additional ones expected to participate in the show.

Professional Artists Network's "Love & Chaos Revisited" valentine art exhibition and silent auction is Feb. 12 at Alameda Artworks, 1068 The Alameda, San Jose. The doors open at 5 p.m., with bidding from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event is free to the public, and there will be food, beverages and music by the Carl Wakeland Trio. The art pieces will be on view prior to the auction from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 8 through 11 and starting at noon on Feb. 12. Parking is available in two lots adjacent to the building and along The Alameda.