Gallery donates to Humane Society

SPOONER — On July 20, Arts in Hand Gallery in downtown Spooner hosted an event to raise funds and awareness for the Washburn County Area Humane Society (WCAHS). The collaborative “Christmas in July” week-long event included “Pets in the Park,” in which WCAHS brought adoptable animals from their nonprofit animal shelter to Centennial Park on Walnut Street.

Volunteers from Arts in Hand Gallery, along with Spooner’s own “Santa Jeff,” then directed visitors to Studio 210, the gallery’s event space. The art show in Studio 210 was themed “Pets as Artistic Inspiration” and people were able to vote on the artwork. The vote enabled them to be entered in a drawing at the gallery for a variety of gift baskets with items donated from the gallery artists. Several art activities also took place in the two adjoining rooms, allowing visitors to make pet-themed ornaments, bookmarks and drawings.

Arts in Hand Gallery collected donations for the Washburn County Area Humane Society all week with giveaways and family-friendly activities. A total of $281 was raised, and gallery artist Mary Jones presented the check to the WCAHS on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Both the gallery and the Humane Society felt the Christmas in July week was a good example of how collaboration of nonprofits can be very beneficial. The volunteers felt that the adoption of several dogs and cats were a direct result of the July 20 event, as well as raising community awareness for both the Humane Society and the local talents of artists in our area.