Unique Artworks and Exclusive Experiences Up for Bids in Tennessee Aquarium’s Annual Fundraiser

Artist Andrea Nelson paints with animals at the Tennessee Aquarium.

In The Know with Gino…

The Tennessee Aquarium is set to launch its annual fundraising auction tomorrow, offering a unique blend of art, experiences, and opportunities to support its conservation efforts. The event begins at 10 a.m. on September 15th and continues until 10 a.m. on September 22, providing a week of engaging bidding opportunities for animal lovers and supporters alike.

This year’s auction features a distinctive collection of artwork created by the Aquarium’s own residents. Using animal-safe paints, creatures such as penguins, turtles, and alligators have contributed to one-of-a-kind pieces, showcasing their paws, claws, tails, and flippers. Several artworks were produced in collaboration with Atlanta-based artist Andrea Nelson, who has partnered with the Aquarium’s Gentoo Penguins and Collared Brown Lemurs once again this year.

Beyond the art, the auction offers exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences. Bidders can vie for the chance to meet Soleil, the Aquarium’s first-born lemur, who arrived in mid-April as part of a critically endangered species. The experience includes helping to prepare Soleil’s meal, participating in a feeding, and engaging in a painting enrichment activity with the young lemur.

Another sought-after experience features meeting Curly, the Aquarium’s newest resident—a Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth. While Curly currently resides in a private off-exhibit habitat in the Tropical Cove of Ocean Journey, the winning bidder will get the chance to assist in preparing his food and observe his daily care routine performed by Aquarium experts.

Additionally, the auction will auction off naming rights for two Gentoo Penguin chicks born this summer. One chick, a male, was hatched to Nipper and Pebbles, while a female chick was born to Flower and Blue. Supporters can choose to name these adorable penguins as part of their bidding.

All proceeds from the auction support the Aquarium’s ongoing mission to promote conservation, education, and animal welfare. For more details or to place a bid, interested parties can visit tnaqua.org/auction.

SOURCE: Tennessee Aquarium