14th Annual Art for Animals opens July 5

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Art for Animals, the popular art show and silent auction to benefit the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA), will be held July 5 through 26 at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff.

The free-admission “Unleashing” opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, at the museum, although artwork for the event will be on public display at the museum starting July 5.

The “Tail End” closing reception and final bidding session – also free admission – will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the museum. The Margaret Harwell Art Museum is at 421 N. Main St., in Poplar Bluff.

Art for Animals features dozens of 5-by-7-inch original creations by area artists, both professional and amateur. The public bids on-line for the art during a two-week silent auction July 12-26. Winning bids benefit AWA’s regional, no-kill animal shelter and its community programs. Local artists of all ages create paintings, collages or sculptures; subject matter is not limited to animals. Most of the artists have two legs; but a few have four legs and fur coats!

The public can see the artwork in person at no charge at the art museum from July 5 to July 26 from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The artwork also will be displayed on-line. Bidding will start July 12 and will be done entirely on-line. Visit artfullyframed.com, click on Art for Animals (top of the page), then click on the link to register as a bidder and review the artwork. Bidding will end during the closing reception July 26; registered bidders will be notified if someone has outbid them.

Gold sponsors for this year’s event are the Artfully Framed gallery, the Margaret Harwell Art Museum, Lisa Reynolds Insurance agency, all of Poplar Bluff, and Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen in Doniphan. Artfully Framed produces the event and frames all of the artwork.

Silver sponsor for Art for Animals ‘24 is the Bank of Missouri.

Bronze sponsors are Christian Automotive & Tire, artist Rose Anne Stanard’s Creekside Studio of Art & Design, and Techie HQ, all of Poplar Bluff. Techie HQ provides the on-line auction services.

The artist whose work earns the highest bid at the auction will win the $100 Tackett Award, named in memory of artist Ted Tackett, an Art for Animals contributor who died in 2015. The artist whose painting is voted most popular will win the $50 Buddy Award, named for the dog owned by the late artist Kay Jewell, who also was a regular contributor to the event and who died in 2017. The Buddy Award is underwritten by Kim Duncan, Kay Jewell’s surviving twin sister. The Youth Division artist whose work brings the highest bid will win $50 cash.

In addition to operating its regional, no-kill animal shelter, AWA spends up to $2,000 per month on programs. AWA provides $50 vouchers for qualifying pet owners to help with spay/neuter costs and has spent more than $130,000 on that project since 2009. With cooperation of Poplar Bluff’s Animal Control officers, AWA also helps provide vaccinations for puppies in the city’s shelter.

AWA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; donations are tax deductible within IRS guidelines and can be mailed to AWA, PO Box 647, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902, or can be made at www.awasemo.org. More information on Art for Animals is available there or by calling Artfully Framed at (573) 785-6178.