From edible underwear and body butter to framed Salvador Dali and Vincent van Gogh prints, the Rebuilding Together art auction offered a unique way to donate to charity.
The undergraduate division of Rebuilding Together -- a volunteer organization that works to provide safe, low-income housing nationwide -- sponsored their second annual fundraising art auction in Charles Addams Gallery last night.
"I think both that it's good exposure for artists ... and also it is a really good cause," said Co-President of Rebuilding Together and College senior Rebecca Heidenberg. "I think people in general are just happy to give, and it's a good event."
Local businesses and artists -- many of whom were Penn students or professors -- donated various art pieces, prints, photographs, gift certificates and products for the event.
Nursing senior Hannah Megacz donated two photos that she took for her first fine arts class at Penn.
"I didn't care if they sell for a dollar, just as long as they raise money for charity," she said.
Upwards of 100 people stopped in during the night, which led Rebuilding Together board member Julia Lemos to express cautious optimism about the evening's proceeds.
"I think it's going well," she said. "Last year, we raised around $5,000, and it would be great if we could see our way to that same goal."
Lemos said that compared with last year, this year's auction has a broader scope in both style and price.
"I think that we have a lot more art and a much better [price] range this year," she said.
Others, such as History of Art graduate student Liliana Milkova, had never heard of Rebuilding Together, but came for potential bargains.
"I heard last year somebody bought a [Marc] Chagall print for $600. I mean, they go for $6,000" usually, Milkova said.
Wharton graduate student Anna Blaszczyk also appreciated the less expensive options.
"Iam a student I don't have a lot of money," she said. However, she claimed that she considered bidding on "some of the interesting photographs that don't go for much."
Blaszczyk added that the event was both "a great way to raise money" and also "a unique way to raise money."
While some came for the art and others for the cause, still others took advantage of the free food.
College senior Graham Roberts who expressed pride at coining the event's title, "Finer Art for a Finer Tomorrow" enjoyed the cookies, which were donated by local caterers, during a break from his class.
Proceeds from the auction will go toward the purchase of supplies for the organization's major construction project in April.
