Calling all artists! From December 3 to December 16, the annual student art auction will be held in Dewey Hall. Senior Hannah Jenkins, a studio arts major, who is organizing the event, said this year will differ from past art auctions. This year any student, regardless of area of study, can submit their work for bidding.
According to Jenkins, the event was originally started by MFA students Victoria Alinovi and Deanna Santo, in 2020. Jenkins says the two recognized a need for students to practice selling their work, a valuable experience for aspiring artists and creatives.
“The goal of the art auction is primarily to inform the community of the VAC,” said Jenkins, allowing students to experience pricing and selling their works which, according to Jenkins, is difficult for artists. “Me included,” she added.
Jenkins continued, “It’s a way of giving us some income for our artwork, giving people chances to purchase, and then the experience of working with the community and learning how to sell your work.”
Jenkins said they decided to relocate the auction from the Visual Arts Center (VAC) to Dewey Hall so students can more easily access the available work.
“It was really difficult for people to know that the art auction was happening, because not many people travel up to the VAC unless they have active classes or they have a friend there who is like, ‘Hey, I have my artwork up and if you want to go look at it,’” said Jenkins.
With more foot traffic, Jenkins explained, it will be easier for the community to engage with the artwork compared to past years.
“Dewey is a central location, [with] many offices that people go to. There’s a lot of foot traffic allowing students and faculty to more easily see the artwork.”
All works in the auction must be submitted by December 2, regardless of when the piece was created.
“It’s mostly pieces students made for their classes, and they’re like, ‘I’m emotionally ready to hand over my artwork,” Jenkins explained.
For senior Dayne Bell, the auction is a new experience. As a creative writing major, Bell was unable to submit their works in previous years.
“At the time it wasn’t an all-campus thing, and I always thought it would be really cool if they made it that way. Then a couple of years later they opened it up for all our students, and I was like ‘maybe next time I’ll submit my own art into the auction,’ and I did.”
Bell plans to submit a variety of crochet pieces, a hobby they learned via a TRIO workshop.
“I’m hoping to make a bigger project, like a bag or blanket for the auction, maybe. I’m just excited for other people to see my art. I’m not an art student so I don’t get the chance to showcase that very often.”
Jenkins said there are no guidelines or requirements for student submissions, but to keep in mind they have limited space. While students can submit as many pieces as they want, Jenkins said they may ask some students to cut back if they need space for other submissions.
A variety of media will be available at the auction, according to Jenkins.
“As of right now, there will be ceramics, there will be prints, there will be prints on clothing, there will be photography, paintings…”
Jenkins also said crochet, jewelry, and possibly some larger sculpture submissions will be available for bidding on.
For those interested in buying, pieces will be available to bid on between December 3 and December 16. A live auction will be held for any remaining pieces on December 16, from noon to 1p.m., in the Badger Burrow and extended common area.