Budding Penn artists cannot just rely on good grades to succeed; they have to go through the nerve-wracking experience of displaying their work to everyone.
The Master of Fine Arts exhibition, held on Friday night in the Meyerson Hall Gallery, gave the Penn community a rare opportunity to view and purchase the artwork of graduate students and faculty from Penn's School of Design.
"It's a good way for the University community to be welcomed into and enjoy one of our best aspects," Department of Radiology resident Garry Baker said. "One of the jewels of the University is the School of Design."
The proceeds of the auction -- which featured around 150 pieces -- will finance the students' thesis exhibition in the spring.
"It's a representation of the combination of our work over two years," event organizer Sean Riley said of the upcoming spring exhibition. "It's to expose ourselves to the general public" and hopefully gain some recognition, he added.
The auction also helps prepare the students for the real world of art exhibitions.
"It's important for the spirit of the [Design] program," auctioneer and Design alumnus Bernard Collins said. "It's one of those rare times... that we actually have to present ourselves professionally."
The artwork took a range of forms and styles, from paintings to photographs to abstract art and figure sketches.
"I think it's wonderful... it's such diverse artwork," Social Work student Lauren DeMille said. "Some of it's really fun."
Auctioneers repeatedly pointed out that people could buy artwork valued at anything from $50 to $800 for a far lower price.
Considering the bargains, "it's rare that a piece goes unsold," Riley said. He added that last year, University President Judith Rodin bought a piece for $600.
The casual nature of the auction with people milling around the gallery, writing down their bids and helping themselves to the buffet was unexpectedly enjoyable, according to attendees.
"It's a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be," Nursing graduate student Christina Herrera said, adding that she liked both the creative work and the company.
This social atmosphere was important for the Design students, as it helped to attract people who almost never see their work.
"I think [the auction] is beneficial in exposing people like me to my friend's work and her classmates' work," DeMille said.
The gracious support of faculty, many of whom are well-known in the professional art world, provided both a promotional and monetary boost.
"It's such a sincere effort from the faculty," Collins said. "It amazes me how the faculty contribute work to this auction."
Having faculty works hanging alongside those of younger artists in no way diminished student pieces, according to organizers.
"I think that's fine, the people around you are your peers," auctioneer Mari Blanchard said. "We're all artists," the Design student added, saying that Fine Arts graduates were on an equal footing with faculty.
The event has been successful enough in previous years to smoothly run the thesis exhibition, and Riley was confident this year's auction had gone just as well.
"I think we sold most of the items, except for a small handful," he said. "I was happy with the whole event."
