Commissioned Pet Portraits Help Young People With Special Needs to Succeed

WVSA Artist Apprentices are now accepting commissions for the 3rd Annual Exhibition Every Dog Has its Day: Celebrating Our Canine Companions. This is a chance for the public to help young people with special needs by immortalizing their furry friend. We love and paint all animals - big, small, frog or dog.

(PRWEB) April 20, 2008 -- WVSA Artist Apprentices are now accepting commissions for the 3rd Annual Exhibition Every Dog Has its Day: Celebrating Our Canine Companions. This is a chance for the public to help young people with special needs by immortalizing their furry friend. We love and paint all animals - big, small, frog or dog.

How to commission a portrait? Easy. Visitors can go the website and choose the size and artistic style. Upload or email a favorite pet photograph to our Artist Apprentices; they then transform the photograph into a one-of-a-kind work of art that will change their room and warm their heart. Last year over 250 pet portraits were commissioned. Prices range from $100-$500 depending on size (11x14 - 30x30) and style (Abstract or Realistic). Commissioners can pay online, by check, or in person. Rush service, domestic and international shipping is also available to all pet lovers living anywhere in the world. Businesses are also encouraged to get involved through many available sponsorship options available that support the program.

The ARTiculate Employment Training Program helps the artists to perfect their creative talents while also learning vital career and life skills. The Artist Apprentices also receive hands-on training in curatorial studies. This innovative method of education, through the arts, provide the tools for success in school, adulthood, and in life. For every piece of artwork commissioned, the artist receives a 30% commission.

WVSA ARTiculate Gallery, located at 1100 16th Street, NW, is open Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm. The opening night reception is June 12, 2008 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. At the reception, the commissioners will have the chance to view their commissioned images for the first time as well as enjoy live music, refreshments and meet the artists.

WVSA's mission is to develop, implement, and support arts-integrated education and employment programs for children and youth with special skills, special talents and special needs. This project is sponsored by CVS Caremark All Kids Can & VSA arts.

For more information please contact Mary Sellers, Gallery and Outreach Coordinator at 202-261-0204 or gallery(at)wvsarts.org http://www.wvsarts.org.

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