November 14, 2008

Community art project to highlight vet school, art museum

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The Dog Days of Summer art project will highlight the 50th anniversary of the School of Veterinary Medicine and the 100th anniversary of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, both of which will be celebrated next year.

The Dog Days of Summer builds upon previous sculpture projects in the community: Hog Wild in 2003 and Frog Follies in 2005. This new project also is inspired by the School of Veterinary Medicine's outdoor sculpture "Continuum" by Larry Anderson, which features a dog as part of its array of people and animals in a depiction of the enduring human-animal bond.

"This art project will further highlight the intersections between animals and people, and art and science," said Kendall Smith, executive director of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. "The dogs will not be on display until next year, but artists, sponsors and volunteers are encouraged to get involved now."

As part of the project, artists from Indiana and other areas will be recruited to decorate three-dimensional fiberglass dog forms, which will then displayed in Lafayette, West Lafayette and on the Purdue campus. Out-of-town sponsors also may be able to display their dogs in their own communities. The finished dogs will be on display from May through September.

Artists who are interested in participating in the project are encouraged to apply now and should contact Jill Churchfield at jill@dcwi.com. Design applications are due on Dec. 5 and are available online at https://www.lafayettedogdays.com

In addition to seeking area artists to decorate the dogs, the steering committee for the project invites corporations, business owners, veterinarians and individuals to adopt a dog for the run of the exhibition for a set sponsorship fee.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $2,500 to $25,000. All sponsors will have their names on a plaque attached to their dogs, and higher-level sponsors will have the opportunity to work with an artist to design their own dogs. Sponsors also will be recognized in all Dog Days promotional materials. At the completion of the exhibit, the painted dogs will take up permanent residence with qualifying sponsors.

In addition to the exhibit itself, numerous events are planned in which children and adults can paint their own mini dog figurines and other dog-related items. The public also will have the chance to vote on their favorite dog and win one of the dog sculptures.

At the end of the exhibition, a few of the decorated dogs will go on the road as part of the School of Veterinary Medicine's traveling exhibit in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Other dogs will be auctioned off to the public on Oct. 4, when they will find a permanent home. Proceeds from the project will benefit the School of Veterinary Medicine's 50th Anniversary Scholarship Endowment and its Good Samaritan Fund, and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette's art education programs.

Volunteers also are needed to help with various aspects of the project, from planning events to selling merchandise and raffle tickets. For information, visit https://www.lafayettedogdays.com  or contact Renée Mullen at reneemullen1@comcast.net.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Kevin Doerr, School of Veterinary Medicine director of alumni relations and public affairs, (765) 494-8216, doerrkr@purdue.edu

Kendall Smith, (765) 742-1128, ext. 103, ksmith@glmart.org

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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