Pet owners flocked to Rosemary Beach’s St. Augustine Green recently for a celebration of the furry critters we love as if they are our own kin.
Rosemary Beach Unleashed was an afternoon party for canines and their masters as six murals of 6-by-8 feet were unveiled with depictions of many of the dogs present.
Those with pets on one of the murals were eager to make their way to find their particular likeness, and then have their photos taken in front of the painting.
Kathy Lamb and Gallo proudly posed with the mural showing Gallo.
However, not all depicted pets are still living, as was the case with Kerrie Beth Dalal and her dog, Maggielee.
“There were a lot of poodles,” said Malayne DeMars, executive director of the Rosemary Beach Foundation.
This mural project is the brainchild of DeMars. It incorporates art in public space, community and pets, and it aims to bring attention to the need for animal adoption.
Ninety-two pet owners each made a $100 donation to have their pets’ likenesses immortalized on one of the six murals, which were painted by eight area artists.
More than 250 two-legged and four-legged guests attended the Dec. 4 festival.
The resulting $9,000 will be divided equally between the Rosemary Beach Foundation, which sponsored the project, and Alaqua Animal Refuge, which is a primary animal rescue operation in Walton County.
Alaqua will use the money to expand its bark park in South Walton, now known as Alaqua Unleashed. On Feb. 6, the murals will be moved to a new permanent home at the bark park, located on 18 acres of county-owned land on J.D. Miller Road. The murals will then become part of the state’s Art in Public Places project.
Interesting trivia surrounding the Rosemary Unleashed murals: In addition to the many dogs depicted, there are also a handful of cats. Also, only one pet name was duplicated — “Winnie.”
Most of the pets belong to Rosemary Beach homeowners, but there are others from elsewhere in the community. Many were adopted from Alaqua.
The featured artists involved in the project were Lauren Carvalho, Paul DeDenus, Jane Dunworth, Emily Fossum, Kristina Perry, Amanda Rhodes, Allison Wickey and Eileen West. Each donated their time.
Heritage Builders constructed the murals, which will remain on display in St. Augustine Park until Feb. 6.
“We are delighted that this year’s art will find a permanent home at Alaqua Unleashed and we hope to make this an annual event,” said DeMars.