Cat and Dog Spaceship

Love Travels Through the Universe
by Lorin Easton

Unconditional love is what I sought
You infected me with all the love that you brought
I don't know where you came from, but here you are now
I expect that you'll stay for a while
 to fill my life with a bark and meow

You'll want to play all day and sleep all night
And push my buttons when the time is right
Your wisdom teaches me everyday
That I must honor our bond always and today

When I see you off
you better look to me and say with might
“Your stars are my stars and we are always in sight”
Traveling through infinity passing your constellations
Making a new home in your space station

You'll see amazing things and live free among the stars
Spreading more love to galaxies afar
Try to swing by every now and again
I'll watch for your ship on clear nights above the terrain

This mixed media piece was donated by Lorin Easton for our “Unconditional Love: Cats and Dogs” February art exhibit silent auction to benefit a local "No Kill" shelter. Bidding ends Feb. 25th at 4pm.

Lorin Easton

Art Show Promotes Spay Day!

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op announces their February art exhibit, “Unconditional Love: Cats and Dogs”. 48 artists will partake in celebrating February's Valentine’s Day and Spay Day with an art exhibit affectionately devoted to felines and canines as part of Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. The show will be one of hundreds of World Spay Day events that will be taking place across the country and around the world during the month of February. The Humane Society’s annual campaign promotes spaying and neutering as an effective means of saving animals’ lives, with the goal of putting an end to the suffering and euthanasia of homeless animals. 

On display at the exhibit will be drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, glasswork, and metalwork. Over 70 depictions of cats and dogs in varying artistic styles will grace the walls of the gallery. Artwork will be available for purchase as well as unique items such as handmade, organic dog biscuits. Some art pieces have been donated by the artists for bid through silent auction. A portion of silent auction funds and donations will be given to a local “no kill” animal shelter, to be announced.

“There are a lot of people who care about animals in this community”, says Shoe Factory director Beth Brown. “This show will express an outpouring of love and concern for cats and dogs by the artists participating and the patrons who attend. This compassionate message is the antithesis of others in the art world who abuse animals for the sake of art.” Brown’s face turns grim. “In particular, Tom Otterness”, she says. “The one who adopted a dog from a shelter and filmed himself shooting and killing it for his so called art film. The Memorial Art Gallery has commissioned him to create a permanent outdoor sculpture for the entrance of their future sculpture park.” Brown says with disgust, “People like this should not be rewarded. The park is right across the street from my gallery. I will be forced to look at this monstrosity every day and be reminded of the injustice of animal cruelty.”

Needless to say, Tom Otterness is not invited.

The show opens with an artists’ reception on First Friday, Feb. 3rd from 6-10pm and runs through February 25th. For more information about World Spay Day visit www.worldspayday.org.

Opening Artists’ Reception: First Friday, February 3rd from 6-10 
Show Closing: Saturday, February 25th from 12-4pm 
Gallery hours: First Fridays 6-10pm, and Second Saturdays 12-4pm, and Wednesdays 12-5pm 
Location: The Shoe Factory Art Co-op, 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607 
Show Admission: donations of cat food, dog food, or dollars


Website: www.shoefactoryarts.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theshoefactory 
Twitter: @theshoefactory

Call for Artists for February 2012 exhibit!

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op is accepting submissions for our 2012 February art show, “Unconditional Love: Cats and Dogs”. In celebration of the month of February’s Valentines Day and Spay Day, the art exhibit will be devoted to our feline and canine best friends! Artists are asked to create and submit work inspired by our appreciation of cats, dogs, or both!

All art mediums considered. All sizes considered. Exhibit held in our Main Gallery, Studio 212. Juried by The Shoe Factory Art Co-op. 

Submission deadline is January 16th, 2012. Artists’ reception is First Friday, February 3rd from 6pm-10pm. Show duration: February 3rd-25th. For more information and submission form, visit the Call for Artists page on our website http://www.shoefactoryarts.com/CallforArtists.html . 

Tom Otterness need not apply.

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op
250 N. Goodman St., Studios 212, 212A, 215
Rochester, NY 14607
(585)732-0036
e-mail: studio212@shoefactoryarts.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theshoefactory
Twitter: @theshoefactory