John Natsoulas Gallery

Exhibition: 5 July - 23 August
Opening Reception: 12 July

Animals play a crucial role in our lives. They are the eyes and ears for the blind, vigilant protectors for the homeowners and everlasting companions for both the young and the old. Yet, unlike humans, who have been rewarded for their achievements through Oscars and Nobel Prizes, animals are seldom publicly recognized for their profound contributions to society.

In 1990, The John Natsoulas Center for the Arts established an annual exhibition to celebrate the role and companionship of animals and the efforts brought forth by organizations such as the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the SPCA.

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is running the Community Surgery Program where senior veterinary students specialize in the care of shelter pets with needed surgical treatments, thus improving their chances of adoption and local veterinarians with a referral for low-income clients who need veterinary care for their beloved pets. The majority of the proceeds from this exhibition will benefit the UC Davis Veterinary School.

In what can be only described as a joyful exhibit, "All Creatures Great and Small" offers a plethora of animal-inspired art to educate pet owners and the public of more humane treatments for animals. The multi-talented artist René Martucci is one of the numerous respected artists in the community whose ceramic sculptures have been continuously exhibited at the John Natsoulas Gallery. Her love for animals has always been very strong. As a child, she remembers once hearing her Dalmatian incessantly barking and pointing towards the garage, where a clothes dryer had caught fire. The Dalmatian had saved her parents' home from burning to the ground

This special summer exhibition will include eclectic collections of artwork from many renowned artists like Esther Shimazu, Roy DeForest, David Gilhooly, William T. Wiley and William Wegman. The techniques used will range from glass and ceramic sculptures to extravagant paintings and drawings.