Some animals are natural-born models. And what owner doesn’t enjoy taking pictures of their pet? For the fifth year, the Roanoke Valley SPCA is hosting its “Best of Show,” a celebration of animals and art. The event is a collaboration between the SPCA and the downtown Roanoke Market Gallery. SPCA President Barbara Dalhouse explains, “It started because we were trying to find a way of finding a new cover each year for the SPCA pet calendar, which is one of our largest fundraisers.”
Calling it the “best party in town,” Dalhouse says the event has grown larger each year and this year there will be winners in eight categories. “Instead of having one [award], it opens up a lot of different opportunities for people who are entering their art.” The categories include: the Most Mysterious, Most Humorous, Judge’s Favorite, a category for children under the age of 12, and Best in Show, which will be used for the cover of the SPCA’s 2011 calendar.
The event draws artists from across Virginia and neighboring states who submit their work. “People get very excited that they can do something fun and benefit the SPCA, too.” She adds, “each entry has to donate at least 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of their work to the SPCA,” which is a bonus for everyone involved. Dalhouse is grateful that many artists donate all the proceeds from their work to the organization. The entry fee is $20 ($15 for students) and participants receive a 12″ by 12″ panel on which to put their artwork.
There are nearly 300 entries in this year’s show, up from 166 last year; about 260 of those have already been judged. Dalhouse observes, “that’s a record number of entries.” Some artists, including past winners, wanted to submit their work but declined to have them eligible for awards. Retired Radford University professor and renowned artist Charlie Brouwer is this year’s judge.
For the first time the show will be a traveling exhibit. The opening night reception will be held Friday (February 5th) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Taubman Museum. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children under 12.
The museum is opening all its exhibits that night so patrons can see more than just the “Best in Show” exhibit. The show will then move to the Market Gallery (23 Salem Avenue) for two weeks, and on to the Shenandoah Club for four weeks. Patrons can purchase artwork at all locations. Dalhouse says “the show outgrew the Market Gallery, so that’s why it moved to the Taubman last year.”
A specially designed package of note cards recognizing all the winners will be available for sale during the opening night reception. That’s also something new this year. Dalhouse says the cards will be wrapped in cellophane with a paw print ribbon around them. “We’ll sell them that night and at the Taubman and the SPCA after [Friday].”
Last year the SPCA raised $12,000 from “Best in Show.” Hometown Bank is underwriting the costs of this year’s show, and Dalhouse is in hopes of raising even more money than last year.
By Beverly Amsler [email protected]