Community arts project announced to celebrate the Year of the Dog

NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, Northwest Connecticut Chamber Education Foundation and Prime Time House are pleased to announce a collaborative public art project called Tails of NWCT, which will build a sense of community in the region, promote tourism, and enhance the exposure of local artists.

Tails of NWCT will also beautify the business districts and towns, encourage foot traffic into local businesses, and celebrate the uniqueness of the area.

Local artists are invited to create unique works of art by painting or decorating fiberglass dogs. Businesses and community members are encouraged to foster dogs for the event by sponsoring a dog, of which there are four types. The completed art dogs will be on display throughout Northwest Connecticut from mid-August through Columbus Day weekend. A regional map of all the display locations for the completed Tails of NWCT art dogs will be available to residents and tourists. Dogs that are not purchased back by their sponsors will be available for bid at the Tails of NWCT Auction on October 20th at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility in Torrington.

“We are elated to have another opportunity to collaborate with Prime Time House and the Chamber’s Education Foundation. Our success last year with Over the Edge was largely due to our nonprofit partnership,” said Amy Wynn, executive director of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council. “Tails of NWCT is yet another opportunity for the three organizations to truly engage the region’s citizens in a variety of ways. We chose dogs as the theme because 2018 is the Chinese Year of the Dog. Dogs are very much a part of our lives, whether you own one or not. We can’t wait to see the amazing designs that our region’s professional and amateur artists will propose and certainly the completed Tails of NWCT dogs are sure to capture our hearts.”

All proceeds will benefit the three collaborating organizations, enabling them to strengthen arts and culture, provide scholarship opportunities, and improve the mental health of those living in Northwest Connecticut.

“We look forward to another outstanding public art project through this collaboration with Prime Time House, the NW CT Arts Council and the Chamber’s Education Foundation, said JoAnn Ryan,

President & CEO of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. “This gives us the opportunity to showcase our special northwest Connecticut region to residents and visitors alike and highlights the participants, artists and community.”

For information about the project, including sponsorship opportunities and information for prospective artists, visit www.TAILSofNWCT.org or call the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at 860-482-6586.