PAWsome Gift Ideas for the 2013 Holiday Season!

dino_frame - narrow borderLooking for that perfect gift for the pet – and pet lover – in your life?

Turn your dog’s paw print – or a photo of any companion animal – into an original work of art, complete with an artistic flourish and signature from children’s book author/illustrator Lynn Chang or illustrator/artist Roger Kabler!   With about 5 minutes and an ink stamp (don’t worry, we’ll help you clean up too), Lynn and Roger can create personalized, lasting artwork for you and your loved ones.

Pictured: Original paw print art (c) 2013 Lynn Chang; all rights reserved.

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Looking for something even more customized?  In about 15 – 20 minutes, Roger can turn a photo of your companion into an acrylic on canvas original painting to treasure for years to come.

Originally featured at our December 16, 2013 Books and Brews event, below, please contact us at info@animalhistorymuseum.org to inquire about custom orders.

Pictured: Original acrylic on canvas (c) 2013 Roger Kabler; all rights reserved.

 

 

 

The Animalier Extraordinaire: The Life and Works of Sir Edwin Landseer

Landseer4Although the Monarch of the Glen is one of the most famous animal works of all time, its creator – who often featured animals in his work – is virtually unknown to today’s art enthusiasts.  This pop-up takes a peek at one of Europe’s most influential 19th century artists and the lasting social statement of his work.

On display at various events, including the December 16, 2013 Books and Brews event below, as well as the Hollywood adoption event below.

Curated by historian and author of The Lost History of the Canine Race: Our 15,000-Year Love Affair with Dogs, Mary Elizabeth Thurston

(pictured: Monarch of the Glen (Sir Edwin Landseer; 1851). Steel engraving; courtesy of Animal Image Archives. )

 

 

Fall Lecture Series: Books & Brews

2013-11-18 3. wideshot audienceWe were thrilled to launch our Fall book chat about all things animals, Books & Brews, hosted by Angel City Brewery at their hip-but-comfortable space in downtown L.A.!  Never a cover charge, each month featured a different perspective on human-animal relationships.  In September, nationally-known shelter photographer Lori Fusaro talked about her experiences photographing senior animals and her “Silver Hearts” project.  Wildlife Waystation founder and LA’s designated wildlife expert, Martine Collette, led October’s talk about co-existing with wildlife in Los Angeles.  November brought a light-hearted look at quirky canine behavior with “Dr. Barkman,” and two children’s book author/illustrators joined us to create original works of art for the holiday season.

But that wasn’t all.  NKLA held adoption events in Angel City’s parking lot, food trucks were on hand and of course, plenty of awesome beers on tap all the time!

(pictured: author and historian Dr. Jane Brackman, aka: Dr. Barkman, delights the November audience with “Why dogs wag their tails and other canine mysteries revealed.“)

 

 

Hollywood Tower Neighborhood Pet Adoption

2013-10-20 group picThere’s no better way to spend a warm, Sunday afternoon in Southern California than hanging out in the Fall sun, making new friends and helping some of our four-legged ones find new forever homes.  That’s what we were fortunate enough to do in October when savvy LA realtor Niko DeLeon of L.A. Leasing realized that helping everyone find a home is not only good for shelter animals, but good for building communities as well.  Thank you Niko, for inviting us to bring one of our pop-up exhibits to the first of what we hope will be many periodic adoption events in the complexes he handles.

October 20, 2013, Hollywood, CA.

(pictured: some of the event participants gather for a quick photo)

 

 

WorldFest 2013 Earth Day Festival: Art Avenue

1IMG_7748The whimsical and inimitable stylings of our own Rebecca Fischer were front and center at WorldFest’s first-ever “Art Avenue” tent this year.  Thanks to art coordinator Lawrence Ziese and everyone else at WorldFest for inviting us to participate – we had a blast hanging out in the warm California sun at Woodley Park, listening to some cool worldbeat grooves, meeting the other attendees and enjoying all of the art.

May 19, 2013, Lake Balboa, CA.

Artwork courtesy of Rebecca Fischer, copyright 2013

(pictured: Harish plays to the crowd)

 

 

Art Night & Auction: An Evening to Benefit the Animal History Museum

IMG_7739Our first-ever art auction was a feast for all of the senses!  Guests sipped champagne and nibbled on appetizers, enjoyed the fine art adorning the gallery walls and had a chance to bid on animal-themed art – including a William Wegman print and a custom “pet portrait” by Colorado artist Rebecca Fischer.  Attendees also previewed our newest animals-and-art-themed pop-up exhibit:  The Animalier Extraordinaire: The Life and Works of Sir Edwin Landseer, had the opportunity to chat with our executive director and “meet” a dozen advisory council members and content developers in a specially-created video montage.

Here’s the event page from our May 17th Art Night & Auction at Hovik’s Fine Arts, North Hollywood, CA.

Thanks to all of our:  Artists: Hovik Kochinian, William Wegman, Dana Feagin, Sharon Montrose, Don Feare, Jeanne Brodsky, Asher Jay, J. Nelson and Rebecca Fischer.  Partners:  Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Field Roast, Just Pure Foods, Veggie Grill, Ciao Cristina, Nutro and Petco.  Volunteers and event staff: Stu Halperin, Shayna Broadstone, Brian and Karla Garcia, and Greg Zbylut

Pop-up curated by historian and author, Mary Thurston – Video montage created by producer and editor Dave Breyer

(pictured: soft strains of Frank Sinatra filled the air as guests mingled under the stars in the enclosed back courtyard at Hovik’s Fine Arts.)

 

Western Hoofprints: The Romance and the Reality of Mustangs in the American West

Our debut pop-up exhibit!  These panels, excerpted from a larger exhibit planned for the rotating and special exhibit gallery of the Animal History Museum, were on display at the conference of Nature and the Popular Imagination, presented by the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture.

August 8 – 11, 2012, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA.

Curated by equine scholar, advocate and enthusiast, Natalie Hansen, Ph.D.

Research Assistance by Kathryn A. Gillespie, Ph.C. 2014

(pictured: Velma Brown Johnston, more popularly known as “Wild Horse Annie”)

 

Want to see one of our pop-ups become a full-scale special exhibit?  You can help turn those plans into reality!

We appreciate your support in any amount:

onlinemake a secure donation now or

mail – send your gift by check directly to:

Animal History Museum
attn: Development
530 S. Lake Ave., #444
Pasadena, CA 91101

 

The Animal History Museum plans to host other pop-up exhibits and fundraisers as well throughout the greater Los Angeles area  to help raise awareness of – and funds for – turning our plans into a reality.  Keep checking back on this space for updates!

Want to do more?  You can also:

  • Volunteer to work an event
  • Help us locate private businesses or individuals interested in hosting an event
  • Host an event at your home or business

Email us at support@animalhistorymuseum.org and let’s talk!  If you’re a registered 501(c)(3) organization, there also may be opportunities for a joint fundraiser!