Saturday, January 26, 2008

Foreclosure Cats Art Project Exhibit Opened to Rave Reviews

Join Us for our Art Show and Adoption Event!

Portrait of "Henry"
by world-renowned artist C.F. Payne

Art, artists, cat lovers and the inspiration for all of them - the Foreclosure Cats - converged at Loveland Art Studios on Main to celebrate the Opening of the Foreclosure Cats Art Project.

All pieces from the collection of Foreclosure Cats artwork are being auctioned on eBay now and will be shown at Loveland Art Studios during the month of January.

Feline attendees included the inimitable diva, Delta; lovely Opal; demure Lucy; and loving and hopeful Bandit. Still awaiting adoption, they represented the dozens of wonderful cats who were rescued in Spring of 2007 from their miserable plight into the loving care of the Foreclosure Cat Project volunteers, foster families, and -- for the most fortunate kitties -- forever homes!

The Foreclosure Cats Project artwork celebrates the beautiful, individual spirit of each precious cat, and a huge debt of thanks is owed to the talented artists from around the country who donated their fantastic representations of these creatures to raise funds for their continued support and care.

A number of cats are still awaiting forever homes, and foster homes are also needed. Please visit our Cats page to learn more about the cats and our Adoption page to express your interest in joining our effort to provide loving respite for the cats.

If you are in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, please visit our Art Exhibit in person at the Loveland Art Studios. You may also place your bid for this exceptional original artwork online at eBay.

Foreclosure Cats Art Project
January 4 - 31, 2008
Loveland Art Studios on Main
529 Main Loveland, Ohio 45140


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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Cats and Artists to Attend "Foreclosure Cat" Art Exhibit Opening

"Never been done" art + rescue project launches art exhibit, eBay auction


Cincinnati, Ohio, January 7, 2008 — Nearly sixty cats and kittens, rescued last spring and summer in what gained national attention as "The Foreclosure Cat Project," now have the singular distinction of having their portraits hanging in a gallery, celebrated at an opening reception, and their art available nationally by auction on eBay.

The portraits, being exhibited at the Loveland Art Studios on Main, in Loveland, Ohio were created and donated by well-known artists from around the country to help raise funds for the project's veterinary expenses.

A combined opening reception, launch of the online auction, a silent auction, and an opportunity to meet the cats who are still looking for homes, is this Saturday evening, January 12, from 6 — 10 p.m. The reception is open to the public and the art will be shown at the gallery through January.


From traditional paintings to a clock, stained glass, mosaic, paper sculpture

The artists, some of whom will be at the opening reception, are painters, children's book illustrators, greeting-card, textile and glass artists. The portraits range from traditional drawings and paintings to a framed mirror depicting Titus, a clock of Topaz, painted glass for Sophie, stained glass for the inseparable Todd and Charlie Blue Eyes, and a paper sculpture of the Foreclosure Cat house.

"We don't think anything quite like this has been done — certainly not by any small, local rescue project like us," says Moro, a Cincinnati artist who came up with the idea for the Foreclosure Cat Art Project and has led its implementation. "Artists as far west as California, east to Rhode Island and south to Florida were inspired by the plight of these cats and kittens."

Foreclosure cats will be among attendees

Several of the foreclosure cats and kittens who have not yet found "forever" homes will be at the opening reception as well, to meet the public, let people compare their portraits to the "real thing," and perhaps find families to adopt them. Twenty of the cats and kittens are still seeking homes. All have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, tested and micro-chipped.

The cats were discovered in early May, apparently weeks after an evicted man walked away from his home without telling anyone about the cats and kittens who were trapped inside without food, water or medical attention. Some of the cats and kittens bear permanent injuries and scars such as eye damage, blindness, or chronic colds. Moro asked the artists not to hide these characteristics, while capturing the joy and energy of animals finally receiving medical care, attention and love.

"For all the animals who aren't as fortunate"

The plight of countless animals in similar situations across the country was highlighted when the project was featured in a national business publication that described the cats as the latest victims of foreclosure trends nationwide. "Most of these animals are never rescued," says Gail Silver, who was the first rescuer on the scene last May and is the project lead. "Or, other small rescues struggle to help, but without the public awareness and support that has made it possible to save the Foreclosure Cats."

Low-cost spay-neuter options, in Cincinnati and almost everywhere, make it possible for everyone to have their companion animals spayed and neutered affordably. "We want the Foreclosure Cat Project, and these beautiful animals, to be reminders that there is no longer an excuse for the neglectfulness that creates such situations," says Silver.

More information, and directions to the gallery at 529 Main, Loveland 45140, are at
www.ForeclosureCats.org. People can see and bid on the art, read about the artists, order merchandise with the art, read each cat's story, and apply to adopt or foster at the website.

# # #
For low-cost spay-neuter assistance:
Cincinnati: 513-721-PETS (7387) Ohio: (877) 644-OHIO (6446)
National: Low-cost resources can be found by zip code at various websites, such as ASPCA's, http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sndatabase