Art for the animals: ‘Paint for Paws’

South Street Gallery makes March the month for a humane effort

By SANDY LONG

WAYMART, PA — The words “whimsical” and “pig” are not often used together, except, perhaps, in the case of Wilbur, the sweet swine in E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.” Unless you happen to be Marlene Metzger, Humane Police Officer for Dessin Animal Shelter, whose beloved pot-bellied porker, Sara-pig, will be featured in artwork Metzger has contributed to the “Paint for Paws” benefit being held at Waymart’s South Street Gallery in support of the shelter.

“She has whimsical eyes,” explained Metzger, whose art focuses on the eyes of animals Metzger has encountered in her work and life. “It’s all about the eyes,” said Metzger, who added that animals express many emotions through their eyes. After manipulating a digital image of an animal, Metzger hand-tints the black and white rendering, then highlights the animal’s eyes with paint. “The eyes tell the story,” said Metzger, who describes the process as both relaxing and fun. “It makes me feel good,” she added.

Metzger often works with Pennsylvania State Dog Warden Jim Rickert investigating animal cruelty cases. The pair have seen their share of suffering, and are always on the lookout for ways to support the work of organizations that help animals.

Enter South Street Gallery, which Rickert and his partner, Bob Nell, opened last fall. “There wasn’t a gallery in the area,” said Nell, and when their friend, wildlife artist Rob Sepanak, pointed out the need for one, the men began renovating the building, which has since become a gallery featuring regional artists and hosting community events like a “Words and Music” series showcasing poets and musicians.

“We love seeing all the beautiful art, meeting the interesting artists and hearing their stories,” said Nell, who hopes to see the gallery eventually offering art classes and providing programs for area schools.

The gallery works to broaden its community outreach through projects like “Woodstock Comes to Waymart,” a new street fair scheduled for August 16, featuring a Grateful Dead-style concert in the town park, complete with artists, performers and festival foods. And they are currently wrapping up publication of a community cookbook as a benefit for their local soup kitchen, the Open Door Cafe, founded by Ron Dukerich, who now creates special foods for gallery events.

Having met and become enamored with Sara-pig, Nell said he would like his own gallery pig. Nell was given his mother’s jewelry and he imagines draping his gallery swine in pearls for openings and special events. “Mother would have loved it,” he laughed.

Artists are still being sought to contribute work to the show. All mediums are welcome and subject matter is not restricted to animals. For more information call the gallery at 570/488-9648 or the shelter at 570/647-0239.

Paint for Paws benefit

The show will open on March 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and continue throughout the month. Other events will be held on March 9, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Storytime for Kids) and March 16, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Words and Music). The month will conclude with an art auction and musical entertainment at 3:00 p.m. on March 30. The gallery will also collect used cell phones during March for reuse and recycling. All proceeds will benefit Dessin Animal Shelter.