The month of May not only brings flowers; it also casts the spotlight on pets. As the month features both “National Pet Week” and “Be Kind to Animals Week” (May 7-13), a Bridgeport business announces an activity that brings assistance to area animals in need and gives locals a chance 

to show off their own cherished pets.

 

“We’ve been wanting to host an art gallery featuring pets for a while now and when we saw that May was a national pet awareness month, we thought it would be the perfect time,” said Jenny Starkey-Reed of The Sanctuary/Starving Artist Studio. “We also wanted to do something to raise money and supplies for local organizations at the Harrison County Humane Society and Pet Helpers.”

 

Making the activity a contest doubles the fun and the yield for the non-profit organizations.

 

For the entry fee of a 10-pound bag of dog or cat food, anyone can participate. The artwork will be featured at The Starving Artist at 103 West Main Street throughout the month of May. Prizes will be awarded for Judges’ Favorite and People’s Choice. Members of the public can vote for the People’s Choice.

 

“Throughout the month of May, people can purchase a ticket and vote for their favorite,” Starkey-Reed said.

 

The cost of each vote is $1 or a donation of any kind to the Humane Society. All money collected will be divided between the two organizations. The contest is divided into two age groups: 6-12 and 13-adult. The contest entry form (below) must be submitted to The Starving Artist before May 1. That deadline has been extended, Starkey-Reed said.

 

Submitted artwork must be ready to hang and can be paintings done in any medium at home, school or at The Starving Artist Studio Paint Your Pet classes. For those still wanting to paint a picture of their pet, a class will be offered 6 p.m. April 13. Space is limited and students must register in advance.

 

Another event planned for the month of May is “Dog Days,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6. In this case, it’s the pet that does the painting.

“You can bring in your dog. We dip their paws in paint and make paw print art – such as paw print flower pedals,” Starkey-Reed said.

 

Studio Co-Owner Bill Leaseburg will be on hand to do pet carictures from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. 

 

Held in August of 2016, “Dog Days” was very popular, Starkey-Reed said.

 

For more information, call 304-622-8606. Entry forms are also available at The Starving Artist or at its Facebook page.