From “museum-quality” works to delightful children’s art, Charlotte Craig of the Animal Welfare Alliance said pet lovers have plenty to choose from during the annual Art for Animals fundraiser. This is the show’s 13th year, kicking off 6-8 p.m. Friday with a free opening reception at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. It will be followed by a competitive online auction that runs from July 14-28.
“It’s really a lot of fun,” said Animal Welfare Alliance board member Charlotte Craig.
The three-week art show and two-week auction benefit the AWA’s community programs and no-kill shelter. Craig said the bidding typically brings in over $10,000 for around 100 artworks.
“It’s supported our community projects, like spay-neuter projects where we give some modest support to low-income dog and cat owners to get their pets spayed and neutered,” Craig explained.
Now it also goes to the AWA No-Kill Shelter, which costs up to $20,000 a month to operate. This is because every animal is sterilized, vaccinated and microchipped before their adoption, and adoption fees cover only a fraction of those costs.
Each piece is created by local artists and mounted by Artfully Framed in Poplar Bluff before going on display at MHAM. Craig said each year brings in a mix of old and new artists showing their talents on 5-by-7-inch canvasses, and the auction is a great place to find home artwork and gifts.
“A 5-by-7 will fit in anybody’s bedroom, bathroom or office,” she said.
The auction will be held on biddingowl.com. More information about bidding and registration can be found by clicking the Art for Animals tab at artfullyframed.com.
Artworks are on display during MHAM’s open hours, noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, until the Tail End Gallery Reception at 6-8 p.m. July 28. Like the grand opening, this reception is free and open to the public.
The AWA thanks several community businesses for supporting the 2023 Art for Animals show. Gold sponsors are Lisa Reynolds Insurance Agency, Artfully Framed and MHAM. The Bank of Missouri is a silver sponsor. Bronze sponsors are Christian Automotive & Tire, Creekside Studio of Art & Design and Techie HQ.
Artworks will be on display during museum hours from Saturday until the Tail End gallery reception from 6-8 p.m. July 28. Like the opening, this reception is free and open to the public.
More information is available at mham.org, artfullyframed.com and awasemo.org.