The School of Veterinary Medicine studies dozens of animals each day, but as of last Saturday, it houses 70 in its library.
The Vet School opened its 25th annual International Exhibition on Animals in Art.
The show will run until April 29. It’s free and open to the public during library hours.
The Vet School gets a small commission from any art sold at the event, which goes to fund special projects, said Christine Mitchell, Vet School library director.
“We generally break even,” she said. “We have a little money left over for small projects for the school.”
Mitchell said 217 artists from 40 states and three countries entered 506 works to be reviewed for the show, and 70 works will be displayed in the exhibit.
“It truly is international,” she said. “We get entries from all over the world. It’s very prestigious as well. I’ve heard from other organizers of events like this who said they’re impressed with the number of entries we see.”
This year’s exhibit will house media including acrylic and oil paint, scratchboard and photography, among other types of media, Mitchell said.
She said the judge also looks for a depiction of the bond between animals and humans.
“We want it to be a family friendly, positive experience,” she said. “We like to have the art focus on what animals mean to us and what they bring to us.”
Ginger Guttner, Vet School public relations coordinator, said the exhibit is a way for the Vet School to show its more playful side.
“A lot of people visit for open houses or to bring us their animals, but this is another way for us to interact with the public in a fun way,” she said.
Guttner said the opening reception has had about 150 to 200 visitors in the past, and she expects the same number this year, if not more.
“Some are art lovers, some are animal lovers and some are both,” she said. “It’s different every year, but it’s always good.”
The Vet School library is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]