Save a Furry Friend

Dr. Lydia Bean and James Miller

Updated: June 1, 2004

Show organizers; Dr. Bean and Professor Miller meet with local artist Martha Flint while feline, Sahara (Bean-Miller) and canine, Sophie (Moore) critique the artwork.

Reception: June 10, 7-9 PM.

Hosted by the STCC Visual Arts Department and organized by Dr. Lydia Bean and Professor James Miller, the Save A Furry Friend! Art Exhibition and Fundraiser was held at the STCC Art Gallery last Thursday evening. The show represented a great success with reference to attendance, networking of various animal organizations and the community, spreading greater awareness of animal issues, and fundraising for no-kill, non-profit animal organizations. Further, the show served as an important linkage between the community, the college, and the environment/animal populations. The show organizers expressed their hope that each of these four goals would be met, and in fact, each measure was surpassed! Specifically, attendance was not only at an extremely high level, but it also represented a wide spectrum of people from across the RGV with a number of individuals coming from as far as Brownsville and South Padre Island. Additionally, several representatives from each of the four no-kill animal organizations attended the opening reception and were able to discuss animal issues with each other and with the community at large. Finally, proceeds from the sale of art works and generous individual donations far exceeded all expectations. Bean and Miller along with the STCC Visual Arts Department and the four non-profit no-kill animal organizations extend their deepest appreciation to RGV community for its support as well as to the artists, musicians, and reception volunteers for their contributions. Additionally, they extend heartfelt appreciation to those who purchased artwork and/or made individual contributions, both of which are dedicated to the four non-profit, no-kill animal organizations. Having devoted the past nine months to organizing the show, Dr. Bean adds, "we certainly could not have accomplished all without the kindness and support of these wonderful individuals. All the animals and we will be forever grateful." As the show is just now underway, Bean and Miller encourage the RGV community to continue to experience the gallery show throughout the summer and make further contributions to the mission and goals. Additionally, art works remain available for sale. The "Save a Furry Friend!" show remains viewable from June 10-August 5, and works purchased at the show can be acquired on August 6 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). Summer gallery hours are Monday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., and by appointment. The STCC Art Gallery is located in Building B, Room 103 on the Pecan Campus. Happy viewing! By Dr. Lydia L. Bean and Professor James Miller.

STCC Hosts the Save a Furry Friend! Art Exhibition and Fundraiser The STCC Department of Visual Arts in conjunction with show organizers, Dr. Lydia Bean and Professor James Miller, will be hosting the Save a Furry Friend! Art Exhibition and Fundraiser from June 10- August 5. The goals of this critically important show are (1) to showcase creative works by local Valley artists as well as that of others, (2) to distribute educational information including the names and contact information of highly dedicated persons and non-profit, no-kill facilities for possible solutions to animal overpopulation, maltreatment, and abandonment problems, and (3) to raise funds through donations and the sale of art works for these non-profit, no-kill facilities/organizations dedicated to the ethical caring of these at-risk populations. An opening reception will be held on June 10 from 7:00  9:00 p.m. at the STCC Art Gallery (Pecan Campus, Building B, Room B103). At the opening reception, food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, while the talented group consisting of Cecilia Smith, Carlos Cantu, and Nadine Lopez will furnish musical accompaniment. The Save a Furry Friend! exhibit showcases some 60 creative artworks including photographs, paintings, and drawings as well as sculptures and ceramics. Thirty-four artists from throughout the Rio Grande Valley including those from Mission, McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Weslaco, Donna and Brownville as well as from Missouri City, Texas, and New York City are represented in the show. Additionally, a talented group of UTPA graphic design students under the professional direction of Professor Leila Hernandez has contributed a series of striking animal awareness posters. Although the dominant theme of the exhibition is animal populations at-risk, artists media and specific themes were open to their own creative interpretation and expression. In addition to the artists and their work, representatives from four non-profit, no-kill animal shelter/organizations in the RGV will be attending the reception to share the care they provide on behalf of our furry and not-so-furry friends. These representatives will interact with the public on the history, mission, goals, services, and needs of their organizations so that the community may be better informed and contribute meaningful solutions. Missions Oasis Animal Sanctuary, Weslacos South Texas Animal Sanctuary, Harlingens Tip of Tex K-9 Rescue, and Brownsvilles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) represent the four non-profit, no-kill organizations featured in this show. Donations received into the Animal Awareness Fund via the sale of artists works and/or from independent contributions will be distributed among these four non-profit, no-kill animal shelters/organizations. The Save a Furry Friend! show remains viewable from June 10-August 5, and works purchased at the show can be acquired on August 6 (8:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m.).