art and pets and art

Heartwarming Art for a Cold First Friday

By Tomi Owens, 11-03-06

The Hood River First Friday Artwalk might be a bit chilly tonight but the subject matter should make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Columbia Center for the Arts has joined with PROD (Promoting Responsible Ownership of Dogs), to bring to the Gorge a series of art events featuring local pets

Yes—our beloved local pets!

Now, it is no secret that Gorge-folks are gaga about their dogs or that Hood River’s predilection for whimsical, off-beat art consistently sets the tone for local flair. So, it was only a matter of time before someone combined these two fanciful tendencies of Gorge life. And that someone was Judie Hanel, former director of the CCA and now curator of the “Paw Prints” art show, a month long series of events celebrating pets in art and pets at art.

The first of these events will be a gallery showing of pet portraiture by twenty highly regarded local artists. Alongside the professional work will be pet art contributed by 82 aspiring 5th graders. And, as if that isn’t adorable enough, you can buy a raffle ticket for a chance to have local artist Cathleen Rehfeld immortalize your very own pet in a custom oil painting. The proceeds will benefit Columbia Center for the Arts. The show opens to the public tonight with an artist’s reception from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the CCA gallery (215 Cascade St., Hood River, OR) and will remain on exhibit until Nov. 26.

The series continues with pet stories for adults and a performing arts presentation for children. On Wednesday, Nov. 8 author Megan McMorris, a former Hood Riverite, will discuss the recent anthology she edited called Woman's Best Friend: Women Writers on the Dogs in Their Lives.

And shouldn’t the real stars of the show be invited to attend the event? On Saturday, Nov. 18 PROD will bring several dogs to a CAST (Columbia Arts Stage Troupe) reading of various dog and cat stories appropriate for children 4-7 years old and, I suppose, PROD dogs of all ages. This ‘mixed audience’ should be great fun but will also be a chance to educate the community about an owner’s responsibility to their pet. All events will be held at the CCA.

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