Go Penguins auction to go global
Wild in Art, the organisation behind Go Penguins, has announced that the penguin auction will now be opened up to the world via the internet - rather than taking place at St George's Hall - allowing bidders from around the planet to pick up their favourite penguin.
This move will maximise the potential for the nominated charities to benefit from the public art extravaganza that wowed the public for seven weeks over the festive period.
To mark this new and innovative move, Wild in Art are also delighted to announce that due to public demand, the penguins will again go on public view for one last time at St George's Hall on 3 and 4 February, so the general public can say their final goodbyes to the much loved waddle before they head for their new homes.
The 'People's Preview' is a special bonus for anyone who may have missed out on visiting the trail as a result of the extreme weather conditions. The Go Penguins website has been inundated with messages from people left disappointed at not getting to visit the trail as planned and requesting one more chance to see the penguins. There will also be a registration desk at the preview event, manned by the official auction house for the event, Sutton Kersh, where people will be able to register and place bids on any of the penguins.
Sally Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild in Art said: "We're really excited about the internet auction - we felt that having received great international media coverage, and a high number of absentee bidder enquiries, to maximise the full potential for the charities we had to find an alternative way of opening up the auction to everyone .We wanted to allow people from anywhere in the world to bid in real time if they wanted to, rather than restrict them to bidding by telephone or proxy. This way, everyone benefits, none more-so than the charities,"
All 67 penguins will now be up for grabs to anyone in the world, intensifying the competition and creating great scope for exciting bidding wars. Feedback from the 30 Superlambananas sold via an internet auction in 2008 showed that there was great potential for a full internet auction for Go Penguins. With more snow forecast for the end of January and beginning of February, the internet option will ensure that the fundraiser does not fall victim to the weather.
Go Penguins is a Liverpool City Council Commission for the Year of the Environment.
Councillor Mike Storey, Lord Mayor of Liverpool, said: ''Go Penguins has enjoyed global media coverage and generated much interest around the world. I think an internet auction makes sense as it opens up a huge window for people to purchase a unique work of art and raise money for so many worthwhile causes."
James Kersh of Sutton Kersh added:" The internet auction for the Superlambananas in 08 was very exciting with people out bidding each other in the dying seconds. Those placing bids should be aware that they will need to be watching up to the last second before closing time to make sure they grab their favourite penguins. We would advise, that bidders desperate to own a penguin have a backup list of alternative penguins they may wish to bid on should they be pipped to the post so that they can quickly compose themselves and have another go. "
The Go Penguins public preview will take place on Wednesday 3 February 8.30am-8.00pm and Thursday 4 February 8.30am-8.00pm. Those attending will also be able to enter a prize-draw for a dream weekend in the city in aid of the nominated charities.
Alan Smith, Manager of St George's Hall, added: "We are delighted to be hosting the Go Penguins Preview - it's a fitting finale to a fabulous event and we can't wait to open the doors to everyone and give people the opportunity to see so many of the beautiful penguins all under one roof."
