Hoofs, Paws, and Claws at the Arts Center
Hoof, Paw, Claw in the gallery at The Arts Center In Orange opens with a reception July 24th at 6:30pm, to which the public is invited. The show runs through September 6th.
Unlike our other gallery exhibits — presented after a lengthy submission and committee review process — Hoof, Paw, Claw erupted unexpectedly, spontaneously, and naturally. Kind of like stray kittens in the barn — an exhibit celebrating horses, dogs and cats had to happen at The Arts Center In Orange.
It had to happen because Orange County, and the surrounding Piedmont region is home to so many artists who love to sculpt, paint, and photograph horses, dogs, and cats. The catalyst was Martha Strawther. Artist, equestrian, animal lover, member of the Virginia Equine Artists Association, Executive Director of The Montpelier Steeplechase Foundation, and member of the Arts Center In Orange Exhibitions Committee, Martha Strawther thumbed through her Rolodex and pulled in a few favors to offer an intriguing array of work from a wide variety of well-known area artists who love animals.
Art lovers will not be disappointed. The exhibit features sculpture, mixed media, oils, acrylics, photographs, and watercolors. Participating artists include: Elaine Hurst, Aggie Zed, Dorothy Chuey, Dana Thompson, Mary Cornish, Jan Settle, Robin Burkett, Mary Shira, Kitty Dodd, Diane Balister, Jo Hodos, Ed King, Sharon Campbell, Willa Frayser, Karen Trimmer, Laura Burrell, Marian Mercer, Jean-Francois Landeau, Outsider artist Joe Simms, young artists Tyler and Austin Burdick, and the unveiling of Evelyn Cowles’ painting selected for the 2008 Montpelier Hunt Races poster.
At the opening reception guests will also have an opportunity to meet and commission artists for pet portraits. As an added bonus to animal lovers and to support the important work of the Orange County Animal Shelter and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at Montpelier, The Arts Center will donate a portion of its commission on gallery sales from this exhibit to the purchaser’s choice of those two organizations.
The Arts Center In Orange is a non-profit (501c3). To purchase the art work, or for more information, visit the Arts Center In Orange at 129 East Main Street, P.O. Box 13, Orange, VA, Phone - 540-672-7311, web site - www.artscenterorange.org. Hours: 10am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday. |
