LSU exhibition features creatures in artwork

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From a whale shark to a pet rat, creatures great and small appeared side by side in a recent art exhibition.

The 22nd International Exhibition on Animals in Art, which ran from March 28-April 26 at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, featured 75 pieces of art depicting animals. A total of 270 artists from 41 states, Canada, Spain, Finland, Mexico, and the Netherlands submitted 583 entries for the show.

Melanie Hansbrough
Melanie Hansbrough, juror and judge, in front of the Best in Show artwork

The judge and juror was Melanie Hansbrough, an artist from Baton Rouge, La. Hansbrough selected the works that appeared during the exhibition in the veterinary school's library, as well as most of the award winners.

The $1,000 Best in Show Award went to Margaret Rice of Baton Rouge for "Morning Walk," an oil-on-board painting depicting a pack of Foxhounds. The piece also won the People's Choice Award.

The late Dr. Janis H. Audin, then AVMA editor-in-chief, chose "Cat Dreaming" by Jacqueline Cohen of High Falls, N.Y., to appear on the cover of this issue. The slip and underglaze on clay portrays a feline vision of the countryside.

"I was immediately taken by the whimsical, playful nature of this piece," Dr. Audin said. "The idea behind it is as compelling as the work itself."

Among the recipients of an honorable mention was Scott Nolen, AVMA senior news reporter, for "Nap"—a black-and-white photograph of his tabby sleeping.

Thirty-four pieces from the exhibition sold, for total sales of more than $3,650. Proceeds from the entry fees and a 20 percent sales commission—more than $5,150—will benefit the veterinary school's wildlife hospital and library.

The gallery is on the Web at vetmed.lsu.edu/art_show_2009.htm. Additional information is available from Gretchen Morgan, coordinator of alumni and public programs, at (225) 578-9826 or gmorganatlsu [dot] edu (gmorgan[at]lsu[dot]edu).