Arts Festival To Benefit Homeless Animals

A “Celebration of Unconditional Love Arts Festival” will take place Saturday, September 3, from noon until 6 pm, at McLaughlin Vineyards, Alberts Hill Road in Sandy Hook.

Sponsored by local artist Richard Budman and The Animal Center, Inc., the theme of the special event is a celebration of the love, joy and happiness companion animals bring to people’s lives. Partial proceeds from this festival will benefit local shelters and rescue groups, including The Animal Center and ROAR, Ridgefield’s nonprofit, all volunteer animal welfare organization.

Featured artists include Richard R. Budman of Sandy Hook, with acrylics on canvas; Karen Schneider Kensek of Bethlehem, with mixed medium paintings; Susan Hurtuk of Sandy Hook and Marleen Cafarelli of Newtown, with photography; Carla Devens of Golden Bridge, N.Y., and Christian Kennedy of Wilmington, N.C., with watercolors; Emine Cichowski of Storrs, with sculpture and clay works; Chris McCormick of Newtown, with acrylics and oil on canvas paintings; and Kyla Clendenin of Bethlehem, with mixed medium works.

“We’re thrilled to be working with such talented artists and animal lovers,” says Monica Roberto, director of The Animal Center. “This festival will feature animal themed sculptures, paintings and photographs. The works of art will be upbeat and peaceful, honoring the spirit of unconditional love animals bring to this world.

“We hope people will see the creations and remember their current and past pets with pleasure and smiles,” Ms Roberto continued.

McLaughlin Vineyards, a year-round farm dedicated to the production of quality wines and maple syrup in a natural environment, has generously donated their land to host the event. The 160 acre historic site includes 15 acres of vineyards, a 2,500-case winery, hiking trails, wine education seminars, a sugar house, sugar maple trees, and even a 50 acre wildlife and bald eagle sanctuary.

“We can’t think of a better location to bring people. The landscape itself is living art,” says Ms Roberto.

Admission is free of charge. In addition to the art offered for sale and through auction, attendees can also enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine tastings at the vineyard.

For more information, contact Leyla Nichols at 203-942-4764.

The Animal Center is an all volunteer, non-profit animal welfare charity. Their programs include a foster-based, No-Kill rescue and adoption program for homeless and injured cats and kittens; a Feral Cat Assistance Program that provides spay/neuter and vaccination assistance to caregivers of free-roaming, unowned cats in the community; and a dog program that rescues adoptable dogs scheduled for euthanasia. The Animal Center is a 501 (c)3 publicly-supported charity.