Art for Animals: When the Model Barks

Art lovers and other animals thronged Spencertown Academy on Sunday afternoon for a benefit to support local companion dogs.  The Academy walls were rich in canine portraiture by young, not-yet-established artists from Taconic Hills Central School, as well as by an astonishing array of art stars such as Richard Serra, Laurie Anderson, Kiki Smith, Karen Halverson, Lou Reed, Bruce Weber, Sylvia Plachy, Valerie Schaff, Elliot Erwitt, the list goes on and on, who had donated portraits of their own pets.  "Many of the established artists were inspired to make new pieces," said Elizabeth Hess, Vice President of Art for Animals,  "which speaks volumes about their commitment to the cause."  For the past decade, Art for Animals has donated the proceeds from art sales to rescue groups.  This event was the first time student work was included.  The student work was sold through a silent auction that ended on Sunday.  The established artists' work will be on sale at the Academy through November 8 and after that through Art for Animals.

Robin Parow, Victor Grey, John Porritt, Sue Porritt and Mia Porritt

Tom Schreck, Sue Schreck, and Wilbur; Susan Grybas and Jacqueline Rogers

Robyn Stein, Neil Intraub, and Liz Diggs; Adrienne Rogers, R. Carlos Bianco, and event co-chair Mary Anne Davis

Julia Pomeroy and Ben Puccio; Sally Morgan Lehman and Jeff Bailey

Allan Livermore, Jacqueline Rogers, and Roberta Wilson;  Adrienne Rogers and Keris Brown

John Dax, Mick Walters and Emma Walters; Frank Murphy and Deb Ferguson

Cydney Cross and Simon; Bonnie Kelleher and Diane Koenig

Gary Leib and Peter Biskind; Karen Kaczmar, Valerie Septembre, and event co-chair Betsy Hess

Alan Baer and Jenny Fox; Rebecca Stowe and Jenny Post

Bernie Mehl & Florence Mehl; Cindy Atkins, Carl Atkins, Karen Halverson