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| Mad Arf | ||||
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| Arf Art Unique Exhibit Inspired by Former Strays Canines met canvas and other media for the first Mad Arf Art Exhibit and Auction February 18th at Mad Art Gallery in Soulard. The featured artwork was inspired by Stray Rescue dogs, who visited the gallery on weekends for the past six months to actually collaborate on a piece or be the subject of works by area professional artists. Puppies scampered onto canvas with paint-covered paws; other dogs swished their paint-dipped tails across canvas. Others posed for portraits or sparked creation of more abstract works, including a larger-than-life mechanical piece. Stray Rescue volunteers Cindy Daly and Ramona Rossman coordinated the event. About 10 artists initially were contacted to participate; however, their enthusiasm for the project spread to their peers in the local art community. The exhibit included more than 50 pooch-prompted pieces. Art sales, silent auction and Stray Rescue merchandise sales netted about $18,000. "We were very excited about doing such a unique exhibit, and were extremely pleased with the turnout," said Tracy Varley, co-director of the gallery who also was a contributing artist. The exhibit attracted more than 500 art aficionados. Several of the dogs that either were subject matter or "artists" also attended the opening, resplendent in many cases in ties and naturally tails. Below are photos of the event, taken by Donna Lochmann. |
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 Some of the special guest "artists" of the night
included, from left, Popeye, Agatha, Ike and Floyd. |
 Agatha's puppies pranced across the canvas to produce
these works of art.
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 Derek Cohn and Wendell check out Caroline Huth's mixed
media collage, "The Misadventures of Wendell." |
 Artist Amy LaBrot, left, gets a glowing endorsement from
her subject, Suzi, being held by guardian Cinnamon Ontiverios under the
watchful eye of foster mom Betty Haupt. |
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 Artist Jenna Bauer meets with the Edwina, the subject of
her charcoal on paper creation. Holding Edwina is her guardian, Peggy Skhra. |
 The resemblance is uncanny in Beautiful Red's fused
glass plate by Rich Brooks. Foster mom Marianne Junger and Beautiful Red
mug for the camera along with Red's guardians Christina and Jack. |
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 Danny Boy inspired this mixed media mechanical by Marie
Oberkirsch. |
 Big Leroy, one of the first residents of the Manchester
shelter, poses with guardian JoAnn Wheelis in front of his piece.
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A steady stream of guests placed their bids during the
auction. |
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| 1463 S. 18th Street Saint Louis, MO 63104 Phone: 314.771.6121 |
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