Tails in the News
Art for Arf's Sake
by Lauren Lewis
• The 2nd Annual Mad Arf Art Show hosted by the Mad Art Gallery opens Friday, April 7, with a fund-raising event for Stray Rescue of St. Louis from 7-11pm. The show, which will remain on exhibit for two weeks, includes the unique work of more than 30 local and national artists that used Stray Rescue canines as their inspiration. All art pieces, which include a variety of mediums such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, collage, and glass, will be for sale through silent auction bidding. Of course, many of the dogs from Stray Rescue wanted to participate as well, so they have created their own pieces of art using their paws, tails, and water color paint that will be sold to lucky bidders. One hundred percent of the proceeds from opening night will go towards Stray Rescue’s efforts to rescue and rehabilitate homeless dogs. Mad Art Gallery, 2727 12th St. (at the corner of 12th and Lynch), Soulard. (314) 771-8230.
• We all know that famed pop art icon Andy Warhol was a big fan of the Campbell’s Soup can, but did you know he was a pet lover as well? “Man’s Best Friend,” at Lococo Fine Art showcases some of the artist’s animal-inspired work. The exhibit features a collection of sixteen drawings and six paintings from Warhol’s “Cats and Dogs” show, which was displayed in New York, London, and Kuwait in the ‘70s. Many of the pieces have not been seen since that time. “Man’s Best Friend” includes a drawing of Warhol’s beloved dachshund puppy “Archie” (named for ‘70s sitcom star Archie Bunker), a huge stuffed Great Dane named Cecil (rumored to belong to Cecil B. DeMille) that Warhol used as a fake guard dog, and Danger, a bizarre looking Brussels Griffon nicknamed the “cat-dog.” The show is on display through April 21. Proceeds from the March 9 opening reception were donated to the Animal House Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the construction of a new state-of-the-art animal shelter for the City of St. Louis Animal Regulation Center. Lococo Fine Art, 9320 Olive Blvd, Olivette. (314) 994-0240.
• Finally, if you haven’t checked it out already, the American Kennel Club Museum’s “You Ought to Be in Pictures! A pPotographic Celebration of the Dog” is the place to be—especially for that endearing Polaroid of Rover. A first of its kind, the special exhibit features nearly 1,400 personal photos of pooches from all walks of life. And the good news is you can still submit a pic of your own pup for the show! “The premise of the show is to give each and every person, from every walk of life, an opportunity to showcase their dog. We don’t want to exclude anyone,” said the museum’s executive director Barbara Jedda McNab to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. The exhibit runs through May 14. The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, 1721 S Mason Road, Town and Country. (314) 821-3647.
Frenchtown Gets a New Dog Park
by Lauren Lewis
A ceremony was held Saturday, March 4 at the future site of The John and Lucille Wendling Soulard Dog Park to recognize the generous contribution of city alderwoman Phyllis Young of $10,000 towards the completion of the park. The ceremony took place at 10am with onlookers watching as Young presented the check to Frenchtown Dog Park Association President Julia Mittelstadt. The new park will be the first of its kind within Ward 7 of the City of St. Louis and will also be the largest green space in the city where dogs and their guardians can exercise and play in a safe area. Education classes on responsible pet guardianship are scheduled to take place at the park when it opens this spring. In addition to Alderwoman Young’s contribution, financial support also came from Michael Stokes, the Mardi Gras Foundation, and the Employee Community Fund of Boeing. A grand opening ceremony for the park is expected sometime in April. For more information visit www.FrenchtownDogPark.com
