Fun For a Cause

The Lynchburg Humane Society will host an outdoor music and art exhibition to benefit the Center for Pets Friday, March 4.

This Seat Taken 2015

The event will take place in the Rebecca Hawkins Training Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Humane Society welcomes the public and will offer admission free of charge. It will be an evening for students, families and individuals who are interested in learning about the work of the Humane Society while enjoying a unique weekend experience.

“We have a new artist show work on the first Friday of every month,” Director of Development Julie Barger said. “We like to have events like these to bring new people in to visit our Center, even if they are not searching for a new pet.”

Barger also says the event will give visitors the opportunity to see the animals from the Center. During Friday evening, the Center will have extended hours so guests can visit with the adoptable pets. This is typically a highlight of the exhibition, as a variety of puppies and kittens are available to the public.

“We also like to have local musicians playing at our events,” Barger said. “This month, Saucy Jack featuring Joe Hutchinson, Lewis Dabney and Tim Hamilton will be performing.”

These local musicians will play a selection of songs during the event to add to the relaxing, weekend atmosphere. This will give locals a chance to support and become more familiar with Lynchburg’s up-and-coming artists.

“We will also have works hanging throughout the Center for Pets by local artists,” Barger said. “About 30 percent of the purchase price of these works comes back to our Center to help us care for the pets.”

This month’s featured artists are from Bedford County, Virginia. Both painters are actively involved in their communities and regularly donate their artwork to local fundraisers and benefit galas.

Suzanne V. Paddock, one of this month’s artists, is an active member of the art community. Because she is passionate about promoting the importance of art, Paddock runs her own private studio in Bedford County. She said her paintings have been acknowledged in her district and are often showcased in local venues.

The second artist, Perri Mason, also uses her skills to benefit the community. Previously an art teacher for a local public school, Mason now works as a commissioned artist for local retailers. Mason said her favorite medium is watercolor, and her goal is to create a deep connection between her subjects and viewers. Mason said she enjoys supporting local organizations and also donates her work to the Blue Ridge Animal Hospital in Bedford.

“These artists’ works will remain hanging for the month until we debut another artist,” Barger said. “It also helps the fundraiser last a little longer and gives the paintings more of a chance to be sold.”

The Lynchburg Humane Society uses these art and music exhibitions as a platform to raise awareness in the surrounding community. Ultimately, their goal is to not only see people become active supporters of the Center, but also to discover their own unique roles in the cause.

“We would like the whole community to be involved in the work that we are doing and help us care for the pets, whether it is as a volunteer, a donor, a visitor that gives affection to our pets, or as an art enthusiast that may purchase one of the works we have on display,” Barger said. “The support of the public means we can continue to care for the over 3,300 pets we take in and find new homes for yearly.”

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