Best in Show 2008 Public Art Project – Sponsorship Deadline Nearing

The streets of historic Hudson will be home to 60 new dogs, but of the fiberglass variety, not the paper-trained kind. The hounds will be painted by local artists and become part of “Best in Show” a new public art project coming to Columbia County . The public art display will open on Warren Street during July 4th weekend. Click here for a sponsorship packet.

Best in Show is a collaboration between the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and Columbia County Council on the Arts. The project was inspired by a very successful, similar, project last year in Catskill, where painted cats attracted visitors from as far away as Georgia . Catskill is again sponsoring “Cat'n Around Catskill”, and the two counties of Columbia and Greene will jointly market the events.

“I believe this is one time when cats and dogs are a perfect mix,” joked Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera at the Feb. 14 press conference announcing the project.

The signature event has several purposes – boost tourism, promote local businesses, and feature local artists. Additionally, the net profits from an auction of the dogs, to be held during ArtsWalk in October, will be divided among local not-for-profit agencies and support the arts, animals, youth programs, and future county promotions.

The 60 fiberglass dogs are available for sponsorship by local businesses or individuals.  Sponsors will have the opportunity to select the design rendered by the artist that they wish to sponsor.  There are two sizes of dogs available, one sitting and one standing.  Sponsorship starts at just $500 for one dog.  This is a great way to support the community and tourism in the County.  Sponsors will be recognized with a plaque on their dog of choice, appear in all promotional materials and recognized at the Best in Show Auction & Gala in October.

A special reception will be held on March 14 at Space 360 for sponsors and artists. At that time the sponsors will be able to select the artist rendering they would like and the location of their dog. The Chamber encourages businesses to sign on as sponsors as soon as possible, as the dogs are going fast! The deadline to sponsor a dog is March 7. Sponsors to date include: The Bank of Greene County; Casa Urbana Boutique and Salon; The Cascades; Crawford & Associates; Columbia Café Company; Columbia County Lodging Association; Columbia County Tourism Department; Columbia-Greene Federal Credit Union; Columbia Hudson Partnership; COARC; Clear Channel Radio; Dunn Builders Supply; Envision Family Eye Care; Family Eyecare Center; Fingar Insurance; Furniture Plus; George Ihlenburg Plumbing & Heating; Hudson-Catskill Newspapers; Hudson-Chatham Winery; Hudson City School District; Hudson Development Corp.; Kipps Mobile Home Park, Inc.; Mexican Radio; Prime Columbia Greene Medical Associates; The Second Show; The Spotty Dog; The Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm; Rapport, Myers, Whitbeck, Shaw & Rodenhausen; Rhinebeck Architecture & Planning, PC; Shallo, Galluscio, Bianchi & Fucito, CPAs, PC; Vasilow's Confectionery; Vico Restaurant; Vince Mulford Antiques and WKZE Radio.

Greg Fingar, co-owner of Fingar Insurance, said becoming a sponsor was a no-brainer for him. His company has offices in Germantown , Hudson and Catskill.

“I'll tell you firsthand, this really works,” he said. “It's a good networking tool and a good opportunity to increase traffic flow. It's just a great opportunity for a business to be recognized.”

Sponsors aren't just from the Hudson area. Businesses and individuals throughout the county are encouraged to get involved. In the future, organizers would like to expand the project to different areas of Columbia County , said David Colby, Chamber President.

Karyn Novakowski, farm and educational coordinator at The Sylvia Center, which runs the new Katchkie Farms in Kinderhook, said her organization views sponsorship as a great way to raise awareness.

“We're trying to get area school groups to bring their classes to the farm for educational programs. This is a great marketing tool for us,” she said.

Public art projects have become popular and successful promotional tools used by towns and cities around the United States , said Colby. Pittsfield , Mass. , has used fiberglass sheep, and Bennington , VT , has used moose; cows are another popular choice for the art projects.

“There are actually groups that travel around the country to see these exhibits,” Colby said. “We think it's a great partnership between artists and businesses.” Sponsor packets are available by calling the Chamber at 828-4417 or on the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.  

Artists will be selected by a review committee, and if chosen, receive a $50 stipend to defray supply costs. Artists also receive 25 percent of the gross price the dog brings at the auction. Deadline for interested artists to submit an application is March 3; those selected will be notified after the sponsor/artist reception on March 14. Artists have until April 21 to complete their dog and return it to the CCCA. You may contact the Arts Council for an artist packet at (518) 671-6213 or on the website at www.artscolumbia.org.

“We are open to any kind of (artistic) ideas,” said Jan Hanvik, executive director of the CCCA.

Columbia County 's Best in Show has been a collaboration with the city, county and various county organizations as well, with the Catskill project's directors “phenomenally generous” in sharing their knowledge and expertise, said CCCA's Hanvik.

“The collaboration around here has been great,” he added.

The Columbia County Board of Supervisors is behind the project 100 percent, said Roy Brown, Germantown supervisor. “I think this will bring a lot to the city and the county,” he said.

For more information contact the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce at (518) 828-4417 or Columbia County Council on the Arts at (518) 671-6213.