COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Artwork by University of South Carolina students and faculty are going to the highest bidders.

The event is the 57th annual auction at the university.

"Sculpture, prints, photographs, paintings and ceramics are up for bid beginning Wednesday," says University spokeswoman Frenche Brewer.

The public can view the art work during a viewing at 1 p.m. in the Campus Room of the Capstone building.

A preview party will kick off at 6 p.m. and the auction starts at 7 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Proceeds from the auctioned artwork are divided between the artists and the university's art scholarship and gallery fund. 

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)