WESTFIELD — Artists will tell you that expression and appreciation are central to who they are.
Pet owners will say something else occupies the center of their emotional world. And there are a lot more pet owners out there.
Bob Plasse knows it. So the president of Westfield on Weekends announced, this week, that his group is hosting the “Dog Days of Summer,” an art installation celebrating mankind’s most faithful animal companion in general, and the beloved dogs of Westfield in particular.
“When you think of the Westfield Creative Arts Center, people always of think of it as culture, and ‘culture’ for some is a highfalutin’ word,” Plasse said. “But culture is about how we live our lives. Everyone wants to talk about their dog, or show pictures of their dogs.”
He hopes a show actively involving a wide range of people on a theme of nearly universal appeal will bring a different crowd to WOW’s Creative Arts Center, best known as a site for fine arts exhibits, craft classes and performances by local musicians.
All residents of Westfield are invited to send in photographs of their pet dogs, both living and past, for inclusion in a collage being built at the Creative Arts Center, 105 Elm St., Westfield. Photos will be included in the exhibit as they are received; the last day to send one in is Aug. 15.
In addition to the local dog photos, artist and co-curator James Johnson-Corwin is creating a “hall of fame” featuring large illustrations of well-known dogs from history and popular culture, like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Greyfriars Bobby from Scotland and service dogs such as the military dogs of World War II.
The idea of a cultural event called “Dog Days of Summer” comes from an annual show in Cecil County, Maryland, Plasse said. WOW members had been trying to find a theme for a summertime event and found “Dog Days” online. The Maryland event has a different focus, however, as it is an exhibition of art depicting dogs. Plasse said he could see WOW soliciting artwork or professional photographs in future years, but the centerpiece of Westfield’s “Dog Days” in its inaugural year is ordinary photos of local canines.
To submit a photo to the exhibit, visit www.westfieldonweekends.com. Each submission should show one dog only (no people or other dogs). Each submission must be accompanied by a form that grants WOW permission to display the photograph.
Photos no larger than 8½ by 11 inches may also be submitted in person during the gallery’s open hours, noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 6-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday evenings; and at Vivid Hair Salon, 99 Elm St., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Prints will not be returned.
Two blue ribbons will be awarded, a best in show determined by WOW judges and a fan favorite voted by gallery visitors. The winners will be announced at a reception 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, in the gallery, which will also feature refreshments and dog treats.
Westfield on Weekends members were already well into the planning “Dog Days” when they learned that the city clerk’s office had opened the 2025 “Top Dog” contest this month. The clerk’s competition also asks that dog owners submit a photo of their pooch. In this case, the photos will be judged in the clerk’s office, and five finalists will be offered for a vote on the city website in December. The winner of the vote gets dog tag No. 1 for the 2025 license year.
Plasse said WOW will be glad to partner with the clerk’s office on its separate but similar contest. The “Dog Days of Summer” exhibit will include information about the clerk’s “Top Dog” contest, and application forms for dog licenses. He said he supports the clerk’s goal of getting more of Westfield’s pet dogs licensed, as required by law.
Although the idea behind a dog exhibit is to attract more people to downtown and the arts community, Plasse acknowledged there may be some folks who feel left out. He said WOW has talked about a cat-related or general pet-related exhibition in the future, whether as an expansion of “Dog Days” — which he hopes will become an annual tradition — or as its own event.
“For our first year, we are keeping it to the dogs, knowing that there are many cat lovers out there, or snake lovers. … The idea that we celebrate our dogs this season leaves a lot of room [in the calendar]. So we could collaborate with other folks on a celebration of our cats, or celebration of our pets.”
For more information on the Dog Days of Summer, visit www.westfieldonweekends.com.