Art For Animals' Sake

If you think that art has gone to the dogs, you could be on to something.  If you think art is for the birds, well, actually, you are not alone.  And if you think art, in general, has dropped to the creature level, again, you’re right.  Why?  Because here in Greater Reading art really has honed in on basic animal instincts, from canines to felines, birds to reptiles.  And that’s a very good thing if you ask the folks at the Humane Society of Berks County (HSBC) and the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL).

In addition to the aesthetic touches artwork lends to the interior of these shelters, it also has become a part of the institutional branding and fundraising efforts of each. Visitors may find that in addition to, or in lieu of, adopting a pet, they might just acquire a potential masterpiece after stopping by.

Special women, special art

Two local women, both artists, have lent their talents to these endeavors – Adrienne Trafford at the Humane Society and Nettie Price at the ARL.  

Though Trafford is retained as a graphic artist and designer by the Humane Society, her roots with the organization go back to her childhood.

She was Adrienne Horst back then, growing up on Union Street just two blocks away from the Humane Society in the 1800 block of North 11th Street. Her mom adopted a few cats that became treasured members of the family. She remembers

bringing canned pet food for the shelter animals and collecting donations from neighbors.  

Spike and Tilly and Teddy

In addition to her daughters, Trafford has other “children.” The oldest is Spike. And then there’s Tilly. And don’t forget little Teddy. If you visit the Humane Society – either virtually or in person – you likely have come to know these three.

Spike is a rather styling cartoon take on an English bull terrier, which Trafford says are her favorite canines because “they are so funny.”

Spike originally debuted in 2006 in a painting for the City Folk gallery in Lancaster as a fundraiser for a nearby animal assistance group.

The artwork caught the eye of Karel Minor, president and CEO of Humane Pennsylvania, HSBC’s parent organization, who asked, “Can we use this guy?”

“This guy” became Spike. Now, nearly a decade later, Spike is the trademarked logo of the society and its sister organization, the Humane League of Lancaster.

“Spike takes us to a new level and away from the generic template of a formal organization,” says Minor.

When you visit the Berks organization, you see clear evidence of Spike – his image graces everything from calendars to human and canine accessories to postcards, holiday cards and small drawings for sale in the retail area. Sometimes he’ll be plain old Spike; other times he’ll dress as a cowboy, a tuxedoed sophisticate, a gangster, or a doctor.  On Minor’s blog, you’ll find Spike as a bereted artist painting Minor’s portrait.

Along with images of Spike, you’ll likely see Tilly, an orange tabby. “She came along about 2008,” says Trafford who named her after a neighbor who, for some reason, reminded her of the character. “She and Spike are good friends. They are always together.”

Completing the cartoon family is latecomer Teddy, the hamster. He got his name and persona from Trafford’s daughter Gwyneth’s very unique pet. “Teddy was a riot,” says Trafford. “Everyone could hold him and cuddle him, and he would come to you if you called him.”

Adrienne Trafford with her Humane Society of Berks County mascots, Spike and Tilly.

Branding the HSBC

The personalities of all three, especially Spike and Tilly, work toward enhancing the image of the Humane Society as well as raising funds.

Spike, and occasionally Tilly, are the central characters in re-created classic paintings, one of which is featured in the organization’s annual Art for Arf’s Sake fundraiser.

Trafford, at Minor’s urging, has inserted the ever-adaptable Spike into The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Salvador Dali’s 1931 Persistence of Memory, and American Gothic by Grant Wood.

“I’ve done six or seven now,” says Trafford, “and generally they sell for between $2,000 and $2,500.”

Minor notes that he “inherited” the society’s art auction when he came on board. By 2015, in its 14th year, the renamed fundraiser Art for Arf’s Sake was relocated to the Reading Public Museum and became a sit-down live art auction experience preceded by a silent auction that featured, according to Minor, “an eclectic blend of art, antiques, ephemera and the uncategorizable.”

The annual fundraiser accounts for a significant chunk of change for the Society. “The auction consistently raises approximately $100,000 each year: funds that will go right back into the community through high-quality pet adoption, and veterinary and charitable programs to pets and pet owners in need.”

Record images

In 2015, images of Spike and his pals were featured in the organization’s first calendar, a publication that sold well.  Both Minor and Trafford say there will be a similar effort for 2016.

Minor and Trafford developed the idea of Spike and company appearing in recreated iconic album covers. Think Spike posing on Springsteen’s Born to Run cover or morphing into David Bowie. And won’t Tilly be a great Blondie?

Spike also figures prominently on the beer glasses for the annual Pints for Pups fundraiser.

In fact, predominantly Spike, but also Tilly and to a lesser degree Teddy, appear on all media platforms for the HSBC and its Lancaster counterpart – from websites to Facebook to print forms.

In addition to Spike, Tilly, and Teddy, other more realistic paintings of cats and dog by Trafford are a big part of the décor at the HSBC. And in the background of the paintings are the names of donors who have set the HSBC on solid footing.  So solid, in fact, that the organization has acquired the old TV51 studio in the 1700 block of North 11th Street. HSBC will convert it to expand veterinary services to help more community and shelter animals while allowing the organization to dedicate its space to shelter services. The rehabilitated building will provide administrative offices, off-street parking and storage space, as well as allow Humane Veterinary Hospitals Reading to begin the process of becoming the second such facility accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association in Pennsylvania. The first is the Humane League of Lancaster’s facility. Trafford’s artwork is there and will be featured throughout the new building as well, Minor says.

There is an irony in all this for Trafford.  Despite her clear love for animals, there is just a pet fish in her household. “My husband and one of my daughters are allergic,” she shrugs, sitting in the cat lounge at the HSBC. “But all these guys make up for it a bit. This has just been one positive experience after another. I’m happy to be affiliated.”

Volunteer by chance and choice

Way across town and down into Cumru Township, you’ll find Nettie Price is every bit as enamored with and proud to be a volunteer contributor to the Animal Rescue League. Price’s involvement with the ARL is relatively new, but the sheer volume of her artwork in the facility belies that fact.

It was in 2014 that she donated a copy of her original children's book, Friends in Their Hearts, about two dogs – forever friends – to an ARL auction.

That gesture really opened her eyes to the ARL and Price jumped right in, donating more than 50 paintings for sale on the walls of the shelter. For each sold, she donated 20 percent to the organization. In the first eight months, Price has raised in excess of $2,000.

As one tours the ARL, it’s clear there seems to be no bounds to the energy or creativity of this 1991 Muhlenberg High graduate who went on to study art at Kutztown University and earn her teaching certificate at Pennsylvania State University. She worked for seven years as a math and science teacher in the prison and youth detention system locally.  While in that position, she started painting her students “as quirky cats and dogs” to make her smile in the challenging atmosphere. The students and inmates started smiling, too, and the work evolved into Nettie Price Sparkling Art.

An animal business

Price started selling little block paintings on eBay and in consignment stores. Then she displayed works in shows during the summer. Three years ago, she left teaching behind to focus on growing her business full time. Now, she has clients throughout the U.S. and abroad via her website nettieprice.com and her agent, Looking Good Licensing.

Price’s business focus is virtually entirely concentrated on animals. She creates small coloring books, greeting cards and other gift items.

Still, Price found she had some time on her hands. The ability to lend her talents to the ARL to help shelter animals she loves became the perfect fit for both, says Beth Ireland, ARL director of marketing and communications. The proximity of her home in the Millmont section of Reading is an added bonus.

Price has created original paintings, but mostly prints decorate the walls and hallways of the ARL. “It was such a great way to beautify these hallways,” says Ireland.

While there are no specific mascots like Spike and Tilly, there is a variety of renderings of dreamy cats and dogs – and even a big-lipped fish – that greet visitors and staff. In the prints and paintings, the cats and dogs may be angels or astronauts, beach bums or fishermen. But they are always in good cheer amid a sparkly background, many times with hearts floating above them.

And, occasionally, one of these smaller renderings can be the inspiration for something much bigger.

Zeus’ world

Take Zeus, for example. Zeus, a canine of indeterminate origin but with some pitbull characteristics, makes his home in the “meet and greet room” where shelter pets and their potential new humans get to spend some time together to determine compatibility.

Price designed and painted the room in three days. The drawing of Zeus in a Good Home is the focal point of the room. It provides a sense of inspiration for the room’s purpose.

But perhaps the most interesting thing Price has created for the ARL is a "Sparkling Art" vending machine placed in the lobby.

The repurposed vending machine features 22 types of magnets created by Price, who also painted the machine, which was rewired by her brother for its new duties. Goodman Vending donated the lights when officials realized the project was for the ARL. It debuted in March.

A $5 bill buys a set of magnets of the buyer’s choosing from what is now called “The Gold Paw.” All are based on original works by Price. There’s always a chance of winning something in addition to the original buy. If there is a gold paw sticker on the magnets purchased, the buyer gets a special prize.

Price is also working on a line of winter clothing – hoodies and sweatshirts in particular – with some of her best-loved animal images. Ireland says those should be ready in time for holiday sales.

Shopping to benefit the shelter is possible via Price’s website. Those making purchases can enter ARL20 and 20 percent will be donated to the ARL.

A Pricey niche

Price says that she has found her niche at the shelter.

“I’m a lifer now,” she says. “They do such a great job here. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think so.”

Price’s work brings fancy and fun to the ARL, but upon entering the waiting area, there is a poignant mural that predates Price’s involvement.

It is the Rainbow Bridge rendered by Terry Flannery a decade ago. The mural fills a wall with images of dogs and cats playing happily in a meadow near a small bridge with a rainbow in the background. On the borders of the mural are 90 squares – mostly filled but with a few still to come – of portraits of beloved pets immortalized by Flannery for the bereaved owners who purchased the squares as memorials.

Down another hallway is a lovely wooden tree of life mural created by Jim Stoudt in 1989 honoring donors to the ARL.

The ARL will celebrate Price’s works and those of other artists on Saturday, Nov. 7, at its Rockin’ Country Gala set for the Crowne Plaza, Wyomissing, from 5 to 11pm. More info is available by visiting berksarl.org.

By Donna Reed | Photos By John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics