Not all of the works in The Art's Meow fundraiser have cats as their theme, but why would an artist waste a perfectly good opportunity?
Which explains the pervasiveness of works like Maddin Corey's "Bandit, Bad Kitty From Siam" oil painting, fiber artist Susan Parks' "Purrrrty Pillows" and Charlie Yowell's stained-glass "Cat Mask." Perhaps each has a cat near and dear to their heart for inspiration.
Wanting to add disparate elements, organizers of this signature fundraiser for The Alice Fund have also permitted non-cat works for gallery guests to purchase or peruse. These include a colorful hope chest/storage chest from designer/sculptor Barry Snyder and a plein air painting, "Mountain Cove Farm," by Victoria Pearmain.
Still, most of the works are of cats big and small, sometimes from the same artist. Hollie Berry has offered up three charred wood panels, ranging from a prim housecat in "Take Care of Our Dreams" to a menacing jaguar in "The Star Spots of His Fur."
If you go
› What: The Art’s Meow show and sale for The Alice Fund.› When: Aug. 2-25. Opening night, Friday, Aug. 2, includes wine reception, 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.› Where: Exum Gallery at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St.› Phone: 423-605-9633.› Online: www.thealicefund.org.
In addition to the artwork, there are several boutique items such as decor, scarves and fabric tote bags.
More than 30 area artists have submitted works for The Art's Meow and will be donating a percentage of their sales to The Alice Fund. The local nonprofit, founded a decade ago and named for a feral cat, provides medical care and supplies for cats in need whose owners would otherwise be unable to access such care.
More than 250 cats have been helped this year, "already more cases than were handled in all of 2018," says board member Mary Lockhart.
The number of cases of cats in need has climbed every year since 2008, the year a single donation can on the counter of a cats-only veterinary clinic was the sole fundraiser for the new nonprofit, according to Lockhart.
"That's not the case anymore," she says. "Generous donors and supporters, fundraising events, grants and a growing network of veterinarian partnerships help us meet the ongoing medical needs of cats and their owners."
Now in its seventh year, the show has become a perennial favorite. During its first five years, the show was timed to coincide with National Feral Cat Day in October and lasted a single day. Last year, organizers tried a monthlong run at Exum Gallery that they hope to perpetuate.
This year's show opens with a wine reception Friday evening and runs through Aug. 25.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.