It’s time to go wild for art again — the Art for Animals show and silent auction is open through July 26 at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff. Proceeds benefit the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri.
The free Unleashing Opening Reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 12, at the museum, and artwork is already on public display. The Tail End Closing Reception and final bidding session is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26.
“The animal shelter is just such a wonderful thing for us to have here in town... (Art for Animals) brings the art world into the awareness of the animal world, and then the animal world appreciates the art world,” MHAM Director Steve Whitworth said.
The nonprofit AWA relies on fundraisers and donations to support its no-kill shelter and community programs, spending up to $2,000 monthly on the latter. Since 2009, it’s provided $130,000 in spay-neuter discounts to qualifying pet owners.
“We use the money for running the shelter and supporting our spay-neuter program — that dates back to 2009,” she explained. “That program offers $50 of support to spay or neuter their pet, per pet... And of course, we purchase the vaccines for the puppies at the city pound.”
There is also the foster for treatment program, which cares for pets while owners get treatment through the VA, Haven House or Recycling Grace.
“As we’re able, we take care of up to two pets per person so they can get the help they need,” Craig said, adding some people avoid treatment unless their pets have somewhere to go. “They don’t pay anything, so this fundraiser and other fundraisers help these programs as well.”
The AWA serves Butler, Ripley, Wayne and Carter counties.
Art for Animals features dozens of 5-by-7-inch original creations by area artists, both professional and amateur — and a few artists have four legs and fur coats.
“We’ve had a lot of really talented artists bring in their visions and it’s always fun to see the past contributors keep contributing again,” said Whitworth.
The public can see the artwork in person at no charge at the art museum during open hours, and online through the auction site. To join the auction, visit artfullyframed.com, click on Art for Animals at the top of the page, then click on the link to register as a bidder and review the artwork.
Bidding starts July 12 and will be held entirely online. The auction ends at the Tail End closing reception on July 26. Registered bidders are notified if someone outbids them.
“That is a really lively event because people are still bidding right up into the reception,” Craig said.
“There’s always really good food and a lot of good humor good here at these things,” added Whitworth. “...This is not a stuffy atmosphere. This is a ‘joy of art’ museum, and certainly a joy of art and animals event.”
Sponsors
Gold sponsors for this year’s event are Artfully Framed, the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, and Lisa Reynolds Insurance Agency, all of Poplar Bluff, and Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen in Doniphan. Artfully Framed produces the event and frames all of the artwork.
The silver sponsor is the Bank of Missouri.
Bronze sponsors are People’s Community Bank, Christian Automotive & Tire, Rose Anne Stanard’s Creekside Studio of Art & Design, and Techie HQ, all of Poplar Bluff. Techie HQ provides Art for Animals’ online auction services.
The artist whose work earns the highest bid at the auction will win a $100 prize: the Tackett Award, named in memory of artist Ted Tackett, an Art for Animals contributor who died in 2015. The artist whose painting is voted most popular will win the $50 Buddy Award, named for a dog owned by the late artist Kay Jewell, who also was a regular contributor to the event and who died in 2017. The Buddy Award is underwritten by Kim Duncan, Kay Jewell’s surviving twin sister. The Youth Division artist with the highest bid will win $50 cash.
AWA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; donations are tax-deductible within IRS guidelines and can be mailed to AWA, PO Box 647, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902. They can also be made online at awasemo.org. More information is available by calling Artfully Framed at 573-785-6178.
The Margaret Harwell Art Museum is at 421 N. Main St., in Poplar Bluff. More information can be found at mham.org.