Artists and community members gathered for an art auction at the Vantage building on Nov. 21.

The artists gathered for the Monroe Symphony Orchestra’s annual art auction. The MSO has several ties to the campus as many of the members of the music faculty play in the orchestra. There were nine items auctioned off this year.

The purpose for the yearly auction is to help defer costs for the orchestra’s concert season and membership costs.

Compared to previous years, this year’s auction only featured four artists. The purpose for the change was to allow more attention to be paid to the artists’ work.

When the auction started, the organizers were afraid that the auction was going to be a bust, but when the “Blue Dog” pieces came up for auctions the bidding wars began.

Many Louisiana residents know the “Blue Dog” was made famous several years ago by George Rodrigue. Several of the prints were available for purchase these pieces were the highest bids of the night one selling for as high as $3,900.

Other pieces of the “Blue Dog” went for up to $2,100.

Between the ticket sells and the auction MSO raised close to $35,000 dollars towards funding this seasons performances.

Aleta Eley, organizer for the event said, she was appreciative of those who attended.

“We were excited that so many people came out to support the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and we’d like to thank them for recognizing the importance of our arts culture,” Eley said.

Food for the event was catered by Aramark. Kasequark Bedford, a senior Health Studies major, and a employee of Aramark said she could only wish to be able to purchase the art that was showcased.

“I think this is a wonderful event, I only wish I could afford some of these amazing pieces of art work,” Bedford said.

Items from the displayed artists were not a part of the auction and any sales made from the pieces displayed went to the artist.