INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – As with everything related to the Humane Society, the Art for Animals art exhibit is all about the animals. The inaugural art show and sale going on over Thanksgiving weekend includes 200 pieces by more than 80 local artists, even a few from creative four-legged friends.
The Humane Society’s aptly named Big Paws major donors got a first peek at the show at an invitational reception Friday afternoon, and were treated to a Bono’s BBQ lunch at the spacious outdoor volunteer pavilion.
“The art that came in was really of an incredibly fine quality,” said event co-chair Sheila Marshall. “We were very impressed. There’s a real diversity. There are oil and watercolor paintings, photography, lots of interesting sculpture, jewelry and look – we have wool rugs from Falasari with animals in the design.”
Marshall credited the artistic layout of the works to Vero Beach Art Club members Rita Ziegler, Judy Burgarella and Penny Aliyetti.
“It would have taken us days; they hung it in about four hours,” said Marshall.
Artists could submit up to three portrayals of domestic animals or native Florida wildlife, and unlike many auctions where artists are asked to donate their work, here they were asked only for a $10 entry fee per piece and a 10-percent commission donation from any sales.
“They have a chance to make some money and that’s delightful,” added Marshall.
Noting that the shelter took in 6,800 animals last year and performed 7,800 medical procedures such as spaying and neutering, dental work and the treatment of heartworm and other diseases, Chalmers Morse, HSVB & IRC executive director said the reception was a way to thank the major donors who make those services possible.
“We also kept more than 600 animals in their homes by providing pet food through meals on wheels,” said Morse. “There are a lot of people in Indian River County that are hurting financially. I’d rather help with some food than have them turn their animals in.”
Janice Salina, a long-time shelter supporter and volunteer, was delighted to run into Janice Lunn, who had painted a portrait of a former shelter dog and donated it to the new owner.
“Diamond lived the first year of her life in a garage,” said Joanna Salina of the black and white pit bull. “She hadn’t been socialized so it made her difficult to adopt. She was in one of the cages behind the reception desk, and one day a woman came in, saw her and said, “I want that dog.” Diamond now has her own Facebook page, A Tail of Two Friends.”
“She was a lovely dog,” said Lunn who remembered getting wet smooches from Diamond. “I always found her to be very loving,”
Four Pollock inspired paw pieces, artfully created by painting pooches Camile, Princess and Sir Russell, and crafty cats Shellie and Ms. Lilly were each attracting a lot of admiration.
“Camile is a great artist; she painted two for me,” said event co-chair Judy Kohler. An unframed painting of Camile’s is hung by the sign introducing her as “the sweetest dog on the planet.”
The event was planned as much as a friend-raiser as a fundraiser, bringing people out to the shelter to tour the remarkable facility, and hopefully adopt an animal. Visitors to the show are also encouraged to enter into a free drawing for door prizes submitted by the White Orchid Spa, Old Florida Bonsai, and Kirby Veterinary Hospital.
Art for Animals, sponsored by Treasure Coast Sotheby’s International Realty, will continue Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. The show is free and open to the public.
