Bid

Simply wanted someone to be able to display and sit in a chair the shows their Tiger RIT pride

This vintage chair has lived a long life but still has life to give! Just a little paint was added to create a representation that there is always a reason to look forward to another day and another breath.

This chair is a striking blend of oceanic beauty and artistic craftsmanship, featuring free form corals accents and lobsters painted on a vibrant blue surface, evoking the tranquility of the sea. Gold shell accents along the sides and back symbolize the treasures of the deep, while red accents along the neck and sides add a bold pop of color. The seat, resembling delicate coral, enhances the oceanic theme, offering both visual and tactile appeal. Inspired by the natural wonders of the ocean, the chair celebrates the intricate ecosystems of the sea, with its whimsical yet elegant design transporting you to a sun-drenched beach where the sea meets the sky. It's not just furniture—it's a coastal-inspired piece that brings the wonders of the ocean into your space

We are a group of students on the Autism Spectrum. After selecting our chair, we were inspired by the square cutout in the seat of the chair, so we built our idea around what that could be used for. Ultimately we decided on doing a nature/pond scene by using plexiglass, resin, acrylic paint, faux plants and real plants harvested from outside. Creating this bright, lively piece brightened up our cold, grey winter days.

The Aurora House Chair was designed with Aurora Borealis in mind. Aurora House was named after Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights). The house is a beacon of light for the families and residents served there. Aurora House is a Hospice Home providing service to the community for 15 years.

Magic mirror on the chair—who has the fairest seat anywhere? Now, you can! This whimsical throne comes equipped with its very own magic mirror, perfect for checking if you have spinach in your teeth or practicing your best royal wave. This chair is ideal for dramatic proclamations, casual lounging, or simply confusing guests who wonder why your furniture is talking to them (just tell them it's enchanted and move on). Chair comes with an Evil Queen plushie, poison apple, and Snow White's heart in a box.
All proceeds go to Trillium Health, whose Transgender care helped the artist be the fairest, and most joyful, version of themself.

The design for this chair is based on the children's book, "Wildflower" by Melanie Brown and Sara Gillingham. It is "a moving picture book for ages 3 to 8 about a daisy who is told she’s “just a weed”—and embarks on a journey to find her place in the garden." RIT Student Government and the children at Margaret's House collaborated to create the different wildflower illustrations from the story!

My chair depicts California Ivy and flowers growing up its legs, sides, and back. I was inspired by the idea of this wooden chair being reclaimed by nature. I think it is more important now than ever to remember the importance of plant life and nature to every aspect of our lives, so I included endangered flowers as a reminder of what we stand to lose and the beauty of what we have now.

I wanted to create a simplistic, yet whimsical chair design! To me, the flowers represent hope and happiness which can be found in nature! My goal was to design a chair which would fit perfectly into a cozy kitchen, porch, or even an outdoor garden setting!

Our Tiger Family has meant so much to Dave and me over the past eight years. It seemed to me that a fun way to honour this unique family was to paint the tiger as he often appears at RIT. I had such a great time painting and the accents on the chair bring out a bit of a funky look to accompany the logo.

The chair is an older chair. I wanted to paint folk sunflowers with a modern flair. It has been sand and repaired with care!!!

I wanted to create a series of cute chubby birds on the seat of that chair. I selected birds that were common in the New England/New York area

Summer. Fall. Winter. Spring. This chair represents the evolution of the seasons as observed through an image of a tree and other nature scenes.

This chair is a rocking chair with a wooden frame and paracord webbing as the cushions! It has slight flexibility, which makes for a comfortable seat.

This chair is a symbol of renewal, resilience, and hope. Painted in green, it represents growth, healing, and new beginnings, mirroring the journey of the women and children rebuilding their lives. The florals bloom across its surface, a testament to their strength and transformation, even after hardship. Accented with gold, it reflects the dignity and worth of every survivor—precious, unshaken, and full of light. Inspired by Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come," this chair stands as a reminder that through faith, support, and courage, every woman can step forward with confidence into a future filled with hope.

Ole Wanscher Model 120 Rocking Chair and Ottoman: A Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece

Discovery & Provenance
Upon discovering this rocking chair and ottoman among the selection, its clean, distinctive lines immediately signaled its Mid-Century Modern pedigree. Though desperately in need of restoration, the piece's exceptional craftsmanship remained evident. Closer inspection revealed intact original markings, confirming our suspicions: we had discovered a beech wood Ole Wanscher Model 120 Rocking Chair and Ottoman—one of the earliest mid-century modern designs from France & Søn. Designed by Danish master Ole Wanscher and crafted in the 1950s, this piece represents the golden age of Scandinavian furniture design.

Thoughtful Restoration
To honor this architectural gem, we chose a preservation-focused approach rather than painting. The frame was carefully sanded, filled where needed, and refinished to showcase the beautiful natural beech wood. The two existing cushions required complete reupholstering, and the missing third cushion needed to be recreated from scratch.

Artistic Collaboration
For the upholstery, we partnered with celebrated surface designer and RIT alumnus Chelsea Fay, whose work is featured at Shop One on campus. Working with time constraints, Chelsea provided select fabric remnants from her studio collection. We selected her striking organic pattern featuring foliage in brown, black, and white with subtle yellow accents, complemented by a rich chocolate brown fabric for a sophisticated, eclectic aesthetic.

Chelsea notes, "This pattern was inspired by plants and foliage that I observed during my daily walk in Highland Park, in Rochester," creating a meaningful connection between this Danish design classic and its new home in Rochester.

About Chelsea Fay

Chelsea began her career in jewelry, studying metals and jewelry design at RIT. Her work was consistently influenced by patterns she sketched in her notebooks. After years as a goldsmith running her own jewelry business, she pivoted to focus on the designs themselves. This creative journey took her to England to study Printed Textiles at Leeds Arts University before returning to the US to establish her textile business.

Her works are available at Shop One and online at chelseafay.com.

Dimensions
Width: 25.5"
Depth: 29"
Height: 29.5"
Seat Height: 17"
This auction represents a rare opportunity to acquire a piece that embodies both design history and local artistic collaboration—a true conversation piece for the discerning collector.

This chair was designed to be fun and exciting. The idea behind this design was to play around and let your inner child shine. This whimsical chair is a charming conversation starter. The vibrant yellow is sure to brighten anyone’s day.

This chair is a vibrant reinterpretation of the American flag—redesigned in our signature grey and orange to capture the spirit of RIT Racing. The sleek grey symbolizes modernity, resilience, and understated sophistication, while the energetic orange reflects our passion for innovation and the drive that fuels our success on and off the track.

Every brushstroke on this piece tells a story of determination, teamwork, and global ambition. It’s more than just a chair; it’s a celebration of our storied past, our current achievements, and our expanding international presence. With its bold design, the chair invites you to sit and become a part of our journey—a journey that blends cherished tradition with a forward-thinking vision.

Join us as we celebrate progress, passion, and the art of racing excellence.

I wanted to make a chair inspired by Make A Wish, and my first thought with the chair I chose was a cake with lit candles on top.

This chair is to celebrate the transformative and fragile nature of life that is exemplified by by butterfly's. We spotlighted the NY state butterfly and the Monarch.

The chair is a tribute to the return of nature with motifs of greenery overtaking the chair. With a beautiful pond serving as the chair cushion. There are stained glass depictions of nature also strewn about the chair. It seems almost like it was meant to find you. The chair cushion demonstrating a pond with wildlife was made, by hand, by Carolynn Mish. And depictions of greenery and stained glass were painted by Nataly Rosas Franco. If you look under you might find more secrets…

Are you a fan of all things sweet? Then these snails can serve you up frozen treats from sundaes to shakes to the classic cone!

This mid-century modern chair features a gracefully curved backrest and a newly upholstered seat with a vibrant floral paisley pattern. The warm wood tones of the frame contrast beautifully with the bold colors of the fabric, creating a visually appealing piece that would complement any room. This chair is more than just a piece of furniture; it's a piece of art with a purpose. All profits from the auction of this chair will be donated to "A Journey Home", whose goal is to provide guidance, support and comfort to individuals and their families as they journey through the dying process. By bidding on this chair, the buyer will not only acquire a beautiful and unique item but also contribute to a worthy cause.

This isn't just a barstool; it's a piece of RIT history you can sit on. Inspired by the strength of our beloved Tiger and Sentinel statues, this chair embodies the spirit of our university. Each likeness has been meticulously carved into the wooden seat, then preserved in crystal-clear epoxy, ensuring these iconic symbols endure. In this way this chair is a testament to RIT's enduring legacy, and a unique collectible for any Tiger at heart. Whether displayed as a work of art or used as a conversation starter, this piece will bring a slice of RIT's campus into your home. It's more than a chair; it's a symbol of your RIT pride.

I had so many different ideas. The seat has probably 6 layers of paint because I was struggling on settling on a design. I decided to keep it simple and gender neutral. I was immediately drawn to the chair because it’s like a child’s rocking chair, I knew that I wanted to do cartoons or something similar! I bounced between Fraggle Rock, Whinnie the Pooh, dinosaurs, or a frog. I ultimately decided on a frog looking up at a butterfly because it wasn’t too “childish” but still appropriate for a child’s room. I imagined it being like my reading chair when I was young where I would sit and read books before bed or when I wake up in the morning after breakfast. Initially the chair had a lot of character that I originally wanted to keep. It did give me lots of trouble, especially sanding the old paint. I realized the old paint just wouldn’t last long enough. The bottom said “I love mom and dad” which was adorable. I think every child wrote on their wooden chairs at some point with a big heart. The design landing on a frog was because they are some of my favorite creatures. The colors being green and blue was to keep it pretty neutral and they worked best with the chosen design!

Calling all cat (and animal) lovers! This meow-velous, one-of-a-kind chair is a testament to creativity and compassion. "Pawsitively Purrfect" features 360 degrees of decoupaged, upcycled cat images and a fluffy faux-fur seat, giving a whimsical and artistic touch to the chair’s purr-sonality, while providing a comfortable and cozy spot for you (or your pet!) to perch.

By bidding on this chair, you are not only adding a delightful piece to your home or office but also supporting a clawsome cause. Proceeds from the auction of "Pawsitively Purrfect" benefit Verona Street Animal Society and help our local city shelter provide care for animals in need.

Bring home this chair and make a pawsitive difference in the lives of furry friends in our community!

Kate Clark was a devoted and treasured part of the RIT community, beginning as a student and working her way up to Executive Director of Sponsored Research Services (SRS) before her passing. Long heralded as the "Oracle" in the office, she was an avid supporter of all things RIT and her colleagues. Kate and I often talked about my annual submissions to the "Chairity Auction" and she always looked forward to seeing what the artists came up with and where their creativity took them.

While Kate was sick, she and I discussed the future of my chairs and whether it was okay to make one in her honor. She agreed but had a few requests for the design. First, that it be a rocking chair she picked, which was graciously donated by Sue Michel of SRS. Second, that it be covered in flowers, especially her favorite - yellow roses. And third, that her initials be included somewhere in the design. I can only hope that this is just the piece she was dreaming of.

To continue Kate's legacy of supporting RIT programs, I've chosen Margaret's House as the recipient of any funds raised with this chair. Years ago, Kate's daughter attended Margaret's House and it continues to be a vital service in the RIT community to this day.

While I am saddened that she wasn't able to see it before her passing, I know she would have loved to see this work come to life.

I have always loved to paint the Wild West. The imagery of open clear blue skies, miles of rolling plains, and cowboys and Indians unceasingly captures my imagination. I love to think about what it was like, how nature was untamed, and what the original American Dream meant for people. With this chair, I want to share a minute glimpse of the West’s beauty, and invite the viewer to daydream about what adventures they might’ve gone on if they wandered in the open plains.

We have found that the I-Spy books are nostalgic for us and the people around us, so we really wanted to take the idea of the books and add more nostalgia to them. We tried to include as much of our childhood as possible and the things that made us who we are in the design. We wanted to show how much a childhood can affect you into adulthood, and we want to give as much as we can to other children to give them the best.

We are Engineering Majors and just wanted to express our artistic sides. The only things we really knew how to draw were birds, bees, and dots.

This chair started out black, and I considered leaving it that way. But after coming across a mask with peacock feathers, I saw the potential for something more vibrant. The peacock feather colors felt like a perfect match for the wicker and frame.

Once I began painting, I discovered a hidden layer of oil paint underneath. The only way to make it work was to sand everything down and start fresh. At that point, sticking with black no longer made sense. Instead, I chose a more playful color to enhance the decorative details, and bring new energy to it. I did, however, keep the base black—as a nod to its “roots.”

Reimagined for United Way this chair is a reminder that sometimes obstacles can lead to a fresh start.

Named after my great-great-grandmother, this chair's painted design is a modern take on the traditional Scandinavian styles known as kurbits and rosemaling. They were often used on wooden boxes, furniture, clocks, cabinetry, and even walls and ceilings - but I'm not quite that ambitious yet! Base paint is semi-gloss cabinet/trim enamel, design is acrylic gouache.

Hi! I am a little chair that was inspired by a "little cottage in the woods" aesthetic. My delicate, hand-painted unique details resemble things you might find in the woods. I am a perfect size for a child, and I would fit perfectly in any room.

Painted in loving memory of my favorite backyard gardener, Bob Matesic.

This colorful chair is inspired by Nintendo's Pikmin franchise. It features many creatures from the series. The cute little pikmin can be found within every corner of this chair.

This chair features designs representative of Computer Science House's creative and technological passions. With our signature logo, colors, and stripes, we were able to make the chair distinctly us with designs that span back years in our club's history.

My wife and I have been watching birds at our birdfeeder all winter. The activity, colors, and their personalities inspired this chair.

The original inspiration was drawn from the sun in "Tangled". I knew that I wanted to do a dark background with a bright design. I wanted to also incorporate the spokes of the chair which look like sun rays.

Born from the gnarled embrace of a once forgotten woodpile and a healthy disregard for structural integrity, this humble chair had dreams of grandeur. The chair, lovingly built, spent many contented years as a child's rocking chair. After rocking countless children and grandchildren, the humble chair, and all it's big dreams, ended up in a forgotten corner of a Salvation Army store. Layers of price tags showed just how long the little chair, once so loved, had been ignored. The chair was destined to once again be a pile of sticks. But fate (and a transgender AuDHD artist) had other plans. Rescued, covered in whimsy and cardstock, the little chair and the neurospicy artist share the dream of a big donation for Trillium Health.

(Note: chair is fragile)

Enchant your space with the magic of winter! Introducing the 'Frozen Fantasy' Art Chair—a beautifully handcrafted piece that captures the essence of the beloved animated film. This unique chair is adorned with intricate flowers made from delicate nets and ropes in shades of icy blue, pristine white, and shimmering silver, each carefully placed to create a frosty floral spectacle. This chair promises to be a centrepiece in any room, perfect for anyone looking to add a spellbinding touch to their decor.

We used the engineering house colors to represent our organization. Since we are engineers we thought that gears would be a fun design!

Inspired by the elegant and innocence of classic Disney Fairy Tales. This simplicity in the transformation of this chair parallels that of Cinderella's glass slipper. In the words of this princess, "Where there is kindness, there is goodness and where there is goodness, there is magic."

Broken lightbulbs, copper wire, caution tape and leather straps, this chair is a shocking sight to behold! The unique shape of this chair is great for demonstrating the power of electricity, and is a great choice for any mad science lover.

I was inspired by two things: 1) my love of shrimp, 2) the De Stijl movement (or rather, the album by the White Stripes). I thought that the design was a fun way to bring shrimp into art, and the contrast between a whimsical creature and the stark, geometric art style would be an interesting combination.

The original idea was to completely cover a chair in buttons- but for now that was a little too much. So in this piece I chose to create a path of buttons, cascading down the chair and fizzling off toward the floor, like a flowing of thoughts as they grow stronger or creative.

Am I writing this at 5am because I forgot to write a bio? Or is this chair so lovingly handcrafted that I can only describe it in the beautiful darkness of a winter’s dawn? Two things can be true at once.

The seat is hand sewn and made up of recycled materials.

On the legs, the white shapes are actually the silhouettes of cartoon dogs. I had planned to line/color them for clarity, but ended up preferring a more abstract style.

Something I’m most proud of is how the chair’s design can be viewed from any angle. If you see a dog poking their head out from the edge of a chair leg, their body continues over onto the other side. This is an IMMERSIVE chair, so buckle up!

Two short chairs in RIT’s Brick City! This duo is inspired by Wicked (2024). They are designed to match Elphaba and Galinda’s personal uniforms and, like the musical says, pink goes good with green. Goodness knows, the Wicked chairs are lonely. But as long as they’re a pair, there’s no fight they cannot win. And while the wizard can’t grant you your hearts desire, we can grant you this adorable set of chairs perfectly suited for unadulterated lounging.

Size:

Note: These are decorative chairs and not recommended for intense use.

All proceeds go to the Out Alliance.