u/Front-Pineapple-3000

So I made this oil painting for class and it was part of a silent auction but didn’t get sold. In the project description it says that we just had to create something for the event. So I want to keep it and try selling it elsewhere. I’m genuinely concerned that giving this painting up to people who have well established connections means they could copy it make prints etc. basically make more money off of my work. If I don’t give it to the museum then I don’t pass the class? Even though I did the project and presentation work too etc. How should I handle this or protect myself.