The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Public art dog statues to be auctioned off on Oct. 20
TORRINGTON — The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, Northwest Connecticut Chamber Education Foundation and Prime Time House will host a public auction of the Tails of NWCT dogs on Oct. 20.
The auction will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility in Torrington. Tickets are $20 per person, free for children 12 and under, and include food, entertainment, and a cash bar.
The collaborative public art project brings together three nonprofit organizations, 39 sponsors and 34 artists from Northwest Connecticut in an effort to build a sense of community in the region, promote tourism, enhance the exposure of local artists, beautify the business districts and towns, and encourage foot traffic into local businesses.
The dogs, each painted with unique designs by local artists, were on display around the region from Labor Day to Columbus Day. Hundreds of people took to the trails to see the dogs in person. Two family friendly contests were held as part of the public display period. Participants completed a contest form with the names or each dog and/or took a selfie with at least three dogs and posted them on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #tailsofnwct.
Dogs that were not purchased by their sponsors will be available for bid at the Tails of NW CT Auction. The winners of the contests will be announced that evening as well. 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.
Bids can also be made prior to the event by calling the Chamber Office.
For more information, and to purchase tickets to the auction, visit www.TAILSofNWCT.org or call the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at 860-4826586.
The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council is the region’s central hub for cultural resources and information. The council serves arts and heritage organizations and artists of all disciplines throughout the region by promoting what they do and directing them to resources that can help them realize their full potential. They also administer the Regional Initiative Grant program for the state and are known for their free annual “Open Your Eyes” studio tour, the CultureMAX Awards, and the monthly printed events calendar.
The Northwest Connecticut Chamber Education Foundation works at the heart of the region’s business core, supporting Read Aloud Day, Leadership Northwest, Junior Leadership Northwest, and WOW! Forum. Through the Chamber Education Foundation, Scholarships are being established to assist with higher learning and professional development. These programs and opportunities empower people of all ages and help make Northwest Connecticut a great place to live and work.
Prime Time House empowers local adults with mental illness to lead productive and independent lives by providing opportunities for education, employment, friendship, housing and transportation. Members are treated with utmost dignity, respect, and as equal partners in their recovery. Prime Time is dedicated to reducing stigma and finding meaningful ways for members to better themselves both as individuals and as part of our community.