Jeddah just hosted the country’s first ever charity auction of contemporary art called Art for Al Balad and they showed how much potential there is for art in the country considering the amount they managed to raise in one night.

According to the Arab News, SAR 4.8 million were raised for charity from the proceeding of the artworks.

The auction was held yesterday by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with international auction house Christie’s.

43 works from artists across the Arab world were put for sale and every one of them sold.

A great turnout for the public viewing of #ArtForAlBalad charity auction, where artwork by artists from around the Middle East was displayed at Nassif House in Jeddah’s Historical District. #MinistryOfCulture #OurCultureOurIdentity pic.twitter.com/Aa8VgOV291

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— وزارة الثقافة (@MOCSaudi) June 24, 2019

A painting by Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Shalty called “Tawaf around the Kaaba 2” sold for SAR 650,000. This made it the highest priced item at the auction.

The auction was held in Al Balad’s historic Al Nassif House, which once served as the residence of King Abdulaziz.

Tonight's #ArtForAlBalad art charity auction, held in partnership with Christie's, has been a great success – SAR 4,800,000 has been raised to support a new heritage museum in Jeddah’s Historical District and a children’s non-profit organization. #OurCultureOurIdentity pic.twitter.com/LSAKOjs9Aw

— وزارة الثقافة (@MOCSaudi) June 26, 2019

The proceeds from the auction will be used to set up a new museum in Al Balad and the remaining amount will go towards a Saudi non-profit called The Help Center.