Boston's Prestigious Benefit Art Auction Takes to the Web for the First Time Ever

CONTACT:
Orbidex Marketing
150 Chestnut Street
Providence, RI 02903
401.272.6804
marketing@orbidex.com

For Immediate Release:

Providence, RI (February 21, 2001) – Orbidex, the upscale Internet service company for the arts and fine objects community, announced today that it will be developing and promoting an online art auction for Massachusetts College of Arts 12th Annual Benefit Art Auction. Web browsers will be able to preview the artworks and place bids online at www.orbidex.com/massart from March 1 to April 4, 2001.

This is the first time the annual event will take to the web, and Kay Sloan, President of the College, is thrilled. Orbidex is an incredibly generous business partner enabling MassArt to significantly expand the buyers market for our annual event, which supports scholarships for talented young artists."

Andrew Chi, Director of Marketing at Orbidex, believes the online auction will significantly enhance the visibility of and the public participation in this already popular annual event. This is our fourth non-profit online auction in 6 months. Each time we are pleasantly surprised by the positive, tangible benefits that adding an online venue brings to a traditional charity event," says Chi. Our core strengths in creating, hosting and managing auction-enabled or commerce-enabled web properties work beautifully with the needs of such traditional non-profits. We are very happy and proud to be of service."

Most recently, Orbidex developed and managed an online auction for the Cavalcade of Cod, Bostons first-ever public art exhibit consisting of 70 uniquely hand-painted fiberglass cod. The event, which was part of Bostons B2K: Events of the Millennium, raised more than $230,000 for benefiting charities. Other charity auctions conducted by Orbidex include ARTcetera 2000, a highly respected art auction to benefit the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, and Art Auction 2000 for Abbys House, the Worcester, MA shelter for battered women and children. Orbidex currently has plans to develop and promote a commerce-enabled website for Junior League of Bostons 2001 Decorators Showhouse.

Online bids for the 12th Annual Benefit Art Auction will be accepted up until midnight EST on April 4th, 2000. The online auction will be followed by a live event on the evening of April 6th at Sandra & David Bakalar Gallery and Huntington Gallery of Massachusetts College of Art. Any online offers that are not outbid by the attendees of the April 6th evening event will be awarded to their respective bidders.

Proceeds from the auction will provide scholarships and help to lever charitable gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations to support an array of academic programs at Massachusetts College of Art. The auction is made possible by the generosity of over 265 artists who contribute their work, and by a cadre of alumni, friends and donors who choose to sponsor the auction. For more information, visit www.orbidex.com/massart.

Established in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art was the first and remains the only free-standing public college of art and design in the US. The College is nationally known for offering broad access to a quality professional arts education, accompanied by a strong general education in the liberal arts. A major cultural force in Boston, MassArt offers public programs of innovative exhibitions, lectures and events.

Orbidex, Inc. is a service company that delivers unique Internet solutions to individuals and small to medium sized businesses. It offers high-end web development, comprehensive web management, tested choices for online marketing, full e-commerce options, and other consultative services. Orbidexs trained sales consultants manage all online operations, allowing clients to maintain meaningful web presence even if they dont own a computer. To learn more, contact Orbidex toll free at 1-877-ORBIDEX (1-877-672-4339).

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