Tuesday, June 22, 2010
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Angela Speed
Phone: (262) 546-5714
E-mail: aspeed@ozaukeehumane.org

ART BARK: Dogs on Parade!
Village of Grafton and Ozaukee Humane Society Team Up for Public Art Fundraiser

Grafton, Wis. – Coming soon to the Village of Grafton – giant fiberglass dogs in whimsical colors and designs!

Darrell Hofland, Village Administrator of the Village of Grafton and Anne Reed, Executive Director of the Ozaukee and Wisconsin Humane Society, have announced a joint public arts project, ART BARK - Dogs on Parade, in the Village of Grafton.

ART BARK - Dogs on Parade provides the Grafton business community with an excellent opportunity to showcase its shops, restaurants, service industry and the beautiful downtown by attracting thousands of visitors to the area this summer.

Twelve fiberglass dogs will be decorated by local artists and will be displayed by sponsoring businesses throughout downtown Grafton. The dogs will be auctioned off this fall at a fundraising event to benefit the Ozaukee Humane Society. The adoption (or sponsorship fee) is $500, of which a majority of the fee is tax deductible.

“The Labrador Retrievers were picked up this week in Chicago and are ready for adoption,” according to Darrell Hofland. “We hope to have all the dogs adopted within a week.”

According to Anne Reed, “Grafton businesses are welcome to join the fun while promoting their business through this unique public art program.”

Participating sponsors will enjoy continual benefits throughout the summer including multiple opportunities for promotion through print media, website publicity, promotional print materials, a plaque on your dog, as well as television and radio mentions.

“The Village is excited to have ART BARK - Dogs on Parade as the community’s inaugural public art project. It will be a wonderful, unique interactive project for the entire community,” according to Darrell Hofland.

The dogs are anticipated to be on parade in early July.

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For More Information: Darrell Hofland, Village Administrator, Village of Grafton, 262.375.5300, dhofland@village.grafton.wi.us; Angela Speed, Director of Development & Community Relations, Ozaukee Humane Society, 262.546.5714, aspeed@wihumane.org