TODAY, Friday, November 14, is the day for something totally left of field in the arts- and you can wash it down with a beer too.

The Scientific Glassblowing Society of Australia New Zealand will host a public benefit auction at BentSpoke Brewing Co. in Braddon for Toora Women Inc, a charitable organisation that provides a critical range of services for women in the Canberra region.

The FREE event is open to the public, and includes live and silent auctions as well as a raffle.

The unusual concept evolved from three notions: the affirmation of community engagement and the positive impact of building healthy community-industry ties; the perception that the scientific glassblowing industry is male-represented but that women’s issues are everyone’s issues; and the wish to highlight the undoubted fact that scientific glassblowers directly enable scientific research and elevate humanity’s quality of life.

The Toora Benefit Auction coincides with the 11^th Australasian Scientific Glassblowing Symposium, hosted in Canberra for the first time by ANU Research School of Chemistry until November 15, featuring seminars and workshops at the ANU-RSC glassblowing workshop and Canberra Glassworks.

Industry professionals from Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, UK, and the US contributed glassware and sculptures for the symposium and auction.

Good news is that the Canberra individuals and businesses also responded with enthusiasm to the call for support. Donations to the auction included a holiday package, gym memberships, gift vouchers, and services in kind.

Toora Benefit Auction, at BentSpoke Brewing Co., Corner of Elouera St. and Mort St. in Braddon, Friday November 14, 5-6pm, items open for viewing and silent bids from 4pm.