SPC hopes art auction paints a profitable picture

Seminole, Florida - Art objects are usually considered works of creativity and a wall filled with art is now a creative fundraiser for the Seminole campus of St. Petersburg College.

The campus is holding an online auction of all the donated art. "These are tough times and you look for something that's maybe a little bit innovative," says campus Provost Jim Olliver.

And while the paintings, prints and photographs now decorate hallway walls, money raised from the auction will help get students outside of building walls.

"We're so blessed to have a natural laboratory," says Olliver, while walking near a pond. The Seminole campus is home to a series of ponds and a stand of pine that Olliver hopes will someday give environmental studies here a boost.

Olliver would like already established biology classes to use the habitat and there are also long-range plans for an environmental degree program here. "It makes all sorts of sense to us. The lab is right here, the resources are here; let's take advantage of them," says Olliver.

However, starting new programs costs money and that's where the art auction comes in.

Since this is the first time the college has held an auction, no one really knows how much money it will raise. There are about 59 different pieces and starting bids range from $10 to $2,000.

For more information on the art auction and to view all the artwork click here.