Peep's artwork sells for a whopping $400!

Peep's Original Artwork Sold By Auction Network For $400
Art by Animals Auction for Wildlife Conservation Nets Over 20 Grand
by Thom L. Benson
posted September 18, 2008


Peep's work sells for $400.
One of the Tennessee Aquarium's gentoo penguins is now an accomplished artist after her original painting sold for $400. Peep's untitled watercolor was one of the numerous pieces up for sale during The Art by Animals auction.

The Auction Network, in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, held the first-ever auction featuring artwork created by animals. The three-hour event was broadcast live from Milwaukee, Wi., by AuctionNetwork.com as animal and art lovers from around the world bid in real-time on the unusual collection of paintings.

Throughout the event, the audience at the auction and viewers watching online were entertained and informed by the animal artists, their caretakers and by wildlife celebrities Jack Hanna and Nigel Marven.

The Art by Animals auction brought in $20,295 to help support conservation programs at the AZA institutions that participated in the event.

"We are honored for Peep to represent the Tennessee Aquarium during this special auction event," said Amy Graves, senior aviculturist at the Tennessee Aquarium. It appears the other gentoos and macaronis at "Penguins Rock" are not very impressed with Peep's new professional status in the art world. "The other birds are always honking, calling, splashing and swimming around. And I think Peep is happy being a penguin and gobbling down fish," said Ms. Graves.

A highlight show of the Art by Animals auction will debut on AuctionNetwork.com on Sept. 20.

Article courtesy of The Chattanoogan.com @

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_135384.asp