The University has been hit with PandaMania, as 90 decorative sculptures will leave their downtown area resting homes at Foggy Bottom and McPherson Square for safekeeping on the Quad.
The panda sculptures will be displayed until October, when a public auction will be held on Oct. 9 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, where pandas could be sold for as much as $10,000.
The exhibit is part of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities which produced 2002's "Party Animals." A total of 150 pandas, creatively designed by local artists, were placed on display around the District from May through September of this year. Proceeds from the public action will go to art grants and education programs.
AU is no stranger to such colorful animal sculptures. Two years ago, the Quad was lined with "Party Animals," the donkey and elephant mascots for the Democratic and Republican Parties. Several of the mascots still linger on campus, in front of the Hurst Hall and inside Bender Arena.
Sophomores Jessica Cochran and Sana Azem thought the pandas were a great addition to the campus.
"We've only seen a couple, but the Washington Class Studio Panda was neat," Cochran said. "I think it's cool they brought them to campus."
"They bring a lot of color to the Quad," Azem said. "I was here last year when they had the Party Animals, and the Quad was a lot prettier than the campus really is"
