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Children Paint Murals for Verde Valley Humane Society Animals

Joan Bourque (l) and Cyndi Castillo (r) painting and printing Verde Valley Humane Society's mural

Joan Bourque (l) and Cyndi Castillo (r) painting and printing Verde Valley Humane Society’s mural

Cottonwood AZ (September 30, 2010) -The monsoon season may be over, but it’s still raining cats and dogs at the new Verde Valley Humane Society building in Cottonwood.

They’re all found on the shelter’s walls in the murals painted by the artists of Art For Kids and other young volunteers from across the Verde Valley.

Dozens of children ages 5-17 from Sedona to Camp Verde pooled their time and talent in a project funded in part by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

“I was approached about painting murals at the shelter before it opened in March,” said Zenna MacGregor, artistic director for the project, “and when I saw the big blank walls I knew they were calling out for color, animal art and kids!”

Led by MacGregor and accomplished mural artist Joan Bourque, youngsters practiced art skills such as design, line, landscape, proportion, blending and color harmony.

Isabella Pepino from Art for Kids puts finishing touches on Verde Valley Humane Society’s lobby artwork

“I can’t think of anything I would rather do than art for animals,” said Isabella Pepino, 11. “A huge blank wall and lots of paint to choose from is so exciting!” Pepino showed up for three five-hour sessions and was in charge of painting two cats — one in the lobby outlined in a heart and the other frolicking in the grass on the outdoor mural.

There are two separate murals now adorning the shelter walls at 1520 West Mingus Avenue.

The first mural greets patrons in the lobby with a rainbow paw print and the society’s logo, Adopt for Life. The other is a long landscape “story board” from morning to evening, located in a courtyard between two sets of dog cages.

“The dogs are lucky because half of their cages face outside with views to Sedona and the other side faces our painting,” said Noah Hurley, a student at Desert Star Community School in Cornville.

Students painting Verde Valley Humane Society’s mural

The 9-year-old worked primarily on the mountains, skies and trees. This is Noah’s fourth big mural project in the Sedona area. “I like doing murals because I can show my art to friends and family for years — and it’s fun!”

Besides the obvious benefit of free art lessons, the project had other goals, too. One was to increase awareness of the importance of animal shelters and another was to generate interest for art in public places.

“We also like the children to realize that they can make a difference in the world through their art, time and heart,” Bourque added. “Murals bring communities together and make the world a more colorful place to live in.”

The public is invited to view the murals during the shelter’s open hours from 10 AM until 3 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 10 AM until 1 PM on Thursday and Saturday.

For directions and more information, including ways to help support the new shelter, visit www.vvhs.net. Tell them that SedonaEye.com Star Pet Columnist Harley McGuire sent you to adopt a pal.

For more information on Art For Kids, visit artforkidssedona.com.

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