Bid for sculptures to help United Way

Gigi Gentile loves the turtle statue she created for Naperville United Way's "Under the Sea" public art project.

But as she learned from someone who once bought a painting she really didn't want to part with, "I can make another one for myself."

While it will be hard to say farewell to the pirate-themed "Explore the Depp-ths," Gentile's turtle statue will be among about 50 large sculptures up for bid Friday at the nonprofit's annual art auction.

"As long as it raises money for the cause," she said, "but it's my favorite of the six I did this year."

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour at Bobak's Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive in Woodridge, just off of Route 53.

"The silent auction also starts at that time," said Deena Manna, the Naperville United Way's assistant director. "It will be for (some of) the larger statues and all the small mermaid statues."

In previous years, Manna said, the auction has run a tad long, so organizers divvied up the pieces for live and silent auction bidding this year.

United Way officials also added other items to the live auction, beginning at 8 p.m., that aren't art related.

Tickets to sporting events, large group dinner packages and a collection of exotic wines, beer and liquors are also on the block, Manna said.

The United Way expects to raise more than $100,000 from the auction and bids are already coming in. Absentee bidding for both auctions is being conducted online.

"This is our big event each year and we have people from all over who look forward to it," Manna said. "I have a family from South Carolina that is coming in just for the auction and another gentleman from Nevada who has already put in a substantial bid for one of the items."

Tickets to the event are still available. Individual tickets are $100 each and a table of eight is $750.

If you go

What: Naperville United Way "Under the Sea" public art auction

When: Cocktail hour and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. Friday, dinner at 7 p.m., live auction at 8 p.m.

Where: Bobak's Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive in Woodridge, just off Route 53

Tickets: $100 per person, $750 for a table of eight

Info: (630) 369-2676 or napervilleunitedway.org

Early bidding

If you can't make the Naperville United Way public art auction Friday, visit the Web site napervilleunitedway.org to submit an absentee bid. Here are the recommended opening bids:

Sea Turtles: $1,500

Mermaid Benches: $1,000

Dolphins: $1,000

Sea Horse Birdbaths: $750

Miniature Mermaids: $500