LSU holds exhibition of animals in art

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A rocking horse, a painting of an ibis, and a mixed media piece with a fish skin were among the award winners at the 28th International Exhibition on Animals in Art at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, coordinated in collaboration with the LSU College of Art & Design.

Beverly Hertler of Red Bank, New Jersey, won the $1,000 Best of Show award for “Fish,” a mixed media piece incorporating a preserved fish skin.

The mixed media piece “Fish” with its preserved fish skin was named Best of Show in the International Exhibition on Animals in Art.

“The black fish skin was a gift from my daughter’s trip to Iceland; I took it from there,” Hertler said. “In all my work, texture, design, and color are my main objectives, and I manipulate fabric as a painter uses paint. I always say my work is what it is.”

Seventy-four pieces of art depicting animals were on display during the show March 11 through April 8 in the veterinary school’s library. A total of 202 artists from 38 states, Canada, and Israel submitted 381 entries for the show.

The judge and juror was Jonathan Mayers, a Louisiana artist. Mayers selected the works that appeared during the exhibition and most of the award winners.

Dr. Kurt J. Matushek, AVMA editor-in-chief, chose the painting “Gulf Coast Gold” by Anne Peyton of Phoenix to appear on the cover of this issue of the JAVMA.

“I was extremely pleased to see the art show return after its one-year hiatus,” Dr. Matushek said. “This year’s exhibition had a lovely collection of works, any one of which could have graced the cover. But Anne Peyton’s acrylic painting of a white ibis in golden late-afternoon sunlight stood out for its idyllic feel and use of color.”

“Warrior Rocking Horse” won the People’s Choice Award.

The People’s Choice Award went to Jim Jeansonne of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for “Warrior Rocking Horse,” a rocking horse with war paint.

The veterinary school benefits from a 20 percent commission on art sales from the exhibition.