There's nothing like a good old fashioned dog and pony show. This is especially true when such a show actually includes and benefits some of the aforesaid.
Two of the valley's most inspired of event mavens, Lynn Stallard and Terry Tischer are, once again, unveiling painted fiberglass Labradors and ponies at an Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley benefit this Sunday, at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley.
The event, which coincides with The Year of the Dog, will have live auction following a barbecue and silent auction. Emcee Larry Flynn will skin us alive with his charm and persistence, and music courtesy of Bruce Innes and Cheryl Morell..
This is a return of the 2001 Summer of Labs event, which raised over $100,000 for several animal related charities. This time around, Tisher and Stallard have produced 10 new creatures and will sell the painted dogs and ponies to benefit the Animal Shelter. Stallard helped found the shelter in 1973 and serves as president emeritus.
"It's also a benefit for the city," Stallard said. "We're having maps, made by Evelyn Phillips, to direct people to stable sponsors and kennel sponsors," where the painted creatures will be on display. "So, it's something for both locals and tourists to do."
The ongoing "Dog and Pony Show" will last for six weeks. Local business will sponsor the creatures, offering them a temporary home. They are the Hull Family Foundation, Lauren Flower, Ciro Restaurant, the Brass Ranch at Sun Valley, the Frank Jellinek family, Sherry Daech of McCann, Daech and Fenton, Sagebrush Gallery and Windermere Realty.
Each pony has been assigned a guardian dog, which will be outside the temporary home, while the ponies will be housed inside. After their six-week Sun Valley stint, the buyers can take their new pet to its permanent home.
The life-size painted ponies are coming from Scottsdale, Ariz. and Santa Fe, NM, where they were a part of the "Trail of Painted Ponies" art installation exhibition. Among the ponies making the journey up north is one painted by well-known cowgirl portrayer Donna Howell-Sickles. Her "Horse Apples" depicts a countryside version of the Garden of Evil.
Other artists represented include Native Americans Ramona Sakiestewa, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Margarete Bagshaw-Tindel and abstract landscape artist Jim Alford.
Meanwhile, the dogs have been painted locally by such artists as Nancy Thomas, Jennifer Bellinger, Carla Palmese, Sharon Maley, Curtis Kemp, Sara Davies, Andy Hawley, Jennifer Hoffmann and Deanna Schrell. There are also two pups still to be decorated. They will be painted by Howell-Sickles and Ted Waddell and then auctioned off on Sunday.
"Everyone says we need more walking traffic in our towns and we thought this would be a great way to get people to view art, and visit the shops, restaurants and businesses on foot," Stallard said, and then added, laughing. "So quit horsing around and buy your tickets."
The 2006 Dog Days of Summer Annual Gala Dinner and Auction takes place, Sunday, July 23 at 6 p.m. at the Sun Valley Trail Creek Cabin. Festivities include silent and live auctions, entertainment and a barbecue. For reservations, more information, or to purchase tickets call Leslie at 788-4774.
Donna Howell-Sickles ?Horse Apples,? depicting a countryside version of the Garden of Evil, will be roaming around Sun Valley for the next six weeks.
