By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-09-03 16:20:01 | Word Count: 717
The first of the Morley's Dog replicas to be completed as part of a city-wide public art project were let off the leash last week, as the sculptures made their first public appearance at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center.
Eight of the nine dogs sold so far were on display as the arts center hosted the Cambria County/Johnstown Chamber of Commerce's after hours event Aug. 13.
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The art project, which was launched last summer, seeks to place the replicas of the legendary life-saving pooch throughout the region. Following a model used in cities such as Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Punxatawney, the dogs are sponsored and decorated by local businesses and organizations.
"The concept is to bring art into the city. People can enjoy Morley, but it is a work of art as well," said Gary Martin of Cambria County Crimestoppers, one of the project's beneficiaries, along with the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center.
Martin introduced the project last summer at the Chamber of Commerce's small business expo, where he unveiled the Convention and Visitor's Bureau dog, which is decorated with some of the area's most prominent landmarks.
He said he was pleased with the momentum and success the project has gained so far.
"At the end of the day, we're going to have this thing grow bigger and bigger. Instead of having nine dogs, we're hoping to have at least 80 next year. We want to get businesses involved and promote the arts, to bring art into the city and the surrounding area."
Martin credited his daughter, Stephanie, with conceiving the idea.
The Richland graduate, now a freshman in Indiana University of Pennsylvania's art education program, said she hopes the dogs boost art awareness in the community — especially among students
"Some kids don't know who Picasso is or even how to cut with scissors anymore — I learned that when I taught at the Bottle Works," she said. "I think we really need to get art back into the community. It's a great way for kids to express themselves and feel more connected to the world."
Bottle Works executive director Rosemary Pawlowski said the sculptures are an appropriate arts project for Johnstown.
"(Morley's Dog) is a symbol of Johnstown. It personifies the spirit of the people and the perseverance of the people. Plus, it's fun."
Pawlowski said the artists commissioned to decorate the dogs have few limits.
"It's going to be interesting to see what people do from here."
The dogs on display Aug. 13 were commissioned by Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Somerset Trust, Johnstown Area Heritage Association, Pam Mayer, the Cambria County Library, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
A dog from the Rotary Club of Johnstown was also on display, but was not yet completed. Another dog is on display in Central Park, and a tenth dog has been purchased by Fox 8 and ABC 23, but has yet to be created.
Highmark regional sales director Chris Cox said she was pleased to support the project.
"It was fun to do and supports a worthwhile cause," she said.
Cox said the company's employees were included in choosing a design for the dog, which has been nicknamed "Prints."
Highmark also supported the Aug. 13 event in hopes of attracting more sponsors for the project.
"It really is a community effort to promote the dogs and encourage more businesses and organizations to be a dog so we can really grow this project and have them all over Johnstown," she said.
Several of the dogs will remain on public display at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art campus, located on the Pitt-Johnstown campus inside the performing arts center.
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