The show includes pieces in all types of media including William Henry Howe's impressionist painting "Head of a Cow," a stoneware piece by Hilda Eiber called "Alligator Lunch," and a bronze sculpture of a puma by Dan Ostermiller.
Smith said that Ostermiller's piece is the central piece of the exhibit. The museum used it on the postcards sent out to promote the event.
"It is just a very striking image," Smith said.
She said the challenge to an artist is one reason animals appear in so many pieces of artwork today.
"Some of (the artists) are trying to catch the intensity of the animal," said Smith, "others are just trying to capture a beautiful scene."
The exhibit's opening reception was sponsored by the Singer Society, the museum's volunteer organization. The exhibit will include an animal-themed family festival and demonstration on July 26 and an animal adoption and pet-care education day on Aug. 23 sponsored by the Humane Society of Washington County.
The "Animals in Art" exhibit will be open through Aug. 30.
If you go ...
WHAT: "Animals in Art" exhibit
WHEN: Show runs through Sunday, Aug. 30. Opening reception is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 29.
WHERE: Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, City Park, Hagerstown
COST: Exhibit and reception are free.
CONTACT: Call 301-739-5727 or visit www.wcmfa.org
MORE: Animal Artists Family Festival and demonstrations from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26; animal adoption and pet-care education day sponsored by Humane Society of Washington County from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.
