Combining two loves - art and animals - is what inspired Cathy Norosky of Belpre to organize the Animal Art with Heart exhibit at Riverside Artist Gallery.
"I've had animals all my life and I know there is an over-abundance of animals there at the (Humane Society of the Ohio Valley), so I decided to adopt my cats from there," Norosky said, speaking of her two 4-year-old cats that she adopted when they were just kittens. "The adoption process was very easy and they are very nice."
There are around 15 members of the gallery who will all be presenting pieces with an animal theme. For any animal-related piece that is sold during the month of February, 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Humane Society.
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ERIN O’NEILL The Marietta Times
Shelly Schumaker, of Marietta, a watercolor artist and new member of Riverside Artist Gallery, arranges items for sale as part of Animal Art with Heart. The event will benefit the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.
The show opening will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the 219 Second St. gallery and animals up for adoption will be there. Hours through February are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Norosky, a gourd and mixed media artist, will have a painting of a rooster and a paper mache dog for sale. Other pieces include glass, fiber arts, ceramics, metal, photography and mixed media.
Board members from the Humane Society will also be on hand Saturday, according to manager Steve Herron, to sell raffle tickets for the organization's biggest event, the Fur Ball, which is planned for Feb. 25.
"We try to make sure our fundraising events cater to different groups of people and this is just another way to reach another group of people," Herron said.
Among the raffle items will be .50-caliber muzzleloader or $300 for first prize, a Stihl chainsaw with case, a 7-foot freezer with a quarter of beef, a wheelbarrow full of "spirits" and a $100 gas card, all of which has been donated for the Fur Ball event.
Herron said adoptions have been great the past couple months but the shelter is always in need of donations.
"The support is there, the community is once again showing their support with this event," he said. "But during these (tough economic) times and we have an election coming up where a lot of people are worried about extra taxes ... we have our heads above water right now but it's one of those things where it can change." The cost to run the shelter on a monthly basis is $22,000 to $28,000.
Donations of needed supplies will also be accepted at Saturday's event and throughout the month of February.
"The items we need the most are kitty litter, adult dog food, bleach and laundry detergent because we use those every day," said Herron.
Other items needed are listed on the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley's website at www.hsov.org.
If you go
What: Animal Art with Heart exhibit.
When: Opens Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. February hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Riverside Artist Gallery, 219 Second St., Marietta.
Details: Artists will create art with an animal theme. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of art through February will benefit the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.Donations of newspaper, animal food, bedding and other items will be collected throughout the month as well. Animals from the shelter will be at the gallery on Saturday.
For information: riversideartistsgallery.com or www.hsov.org.
