Silent Auction

This year, I’ve sold over 50 original pieces of art including 3 commissioned pieces—each one finding its way into the hands of collectors who connected with it in their own unique way. But as an artist and entrepreneur, I’m always exploring new approaches to share my work and connect with people.

I decided to start with a Silent Auction—a format I’d seen succeed at fundraisers and community events, but never tried for myself.

Experiment costs: $0

The Setup

For this first attempt, I chose one of my 12x12 framed acrylic paintings—a one-of-a-kind piece ready to hang. To keep things simple, I ran the auction online across social platforms (Facebook and Nextdoor).

Here’s how I structured it:

Starting bid: $75

Minimum bid increments: $10

Buy Now option: $225 (to secure the painting immediately)

Auction duration: Two days

Bidding method: Comment directly on the post

I wanted the process to feel approachable, but also fair. Giving people the chance to “buy it outright” at any point added urgency.

What Happened

The auction started with curiosity but moved slowly. The first bid came in at $100, and climbed to $120 and that's where it closed.

When it came time to deliver the artwork, I met the buyer in person. She graciously paid $130, and more importantly, she expressed how much she loved my work. During our conversation, she asked about upcoming events and even mentioned wanting to visit my studio—a wonderful reminder that these attempts are not just about selling paintings, but also about building relationships and community.

A few things I noticed:

Transparency helps. Keeping the current high bid visible made others feel comfortable jumping in.

Buy Now psychology. Even though no one used the option, the presence of it seemed to anchor the value higher.

Personal connection matters. Meeting the buyer face-to-face added trust and excitement—something you can’t replicate in a purely digital exchange.

Lessons Learned

Silent auctions do require more engagement than fixed-price listings—people need to track progress and stay active. That said, it created excitement, conversation, and visibility around my art that a flat price might not have.

The experience also reminded me of the contrast with my past gallery days when I represented other artists. Back then, I would spend hundreds of dollars on advertising, live music, food, and drinks to promote a single show—only to walk away without a single sale. In comparison, this silent auction was no-cost, direct, and personal. And it worked.

This same painting would have been priced at $260+ in a gallery, but by selling directly through the silent auction, I earned almost the same amount—without paying commissions or event costs. That difference is powerful, and it shows how direct-to-collector connections can be just as rewarding financially, if not more.

It’s also important to note: not all of my work is available at a discount. The silent auction was an experiment, not a standard practice. Many of my pieces will remain at full value, because the time, energy, and meaning behind them can’t always be reduced to a bid.

Takeaway

Attempt 1 showed me that people are willing to engage with art in a more interactive way. Selling art isn’t just about price—it’s about creating a story, a moment, and a chance for collectors to feel involved in the process. And sometimes, the most meaningful outcome isn’t just the sale—it’s the connection with someone who truly appreciates the art.