Winston Salem dogs are poppin’ their collars for the Arts Unleashed project!

Dogs and cats in Winston-Salem, North Carolina are poppin’ their collars*. In April, the Forsyth Humane Society unleashed a pack of fiberglass dogs and cats on Winston-Salem’s downtown streets. These canines and kitties, decorated by some of the best artists in the area, show off how Winston-Salem is truly a City of the Arts. They will be on display for most of the summer 2006. In August, the dogs will be auctioned off to raise money to support the Humane Society’s “No-Kill” Adoption Center, Educational Outreach Programs, Sick and Injured Animal Fund, and Low-Cost Spay Neuter Assistance for Low-Income Pet Owners. The Arts Unleashed project is a canine variation of a popular cow project in Chicago. The animal art auctions that follow such events have proven successful in raising money for charities in several cities.

Winston Salem artists spent months designing and painting these models with special themes prior to the parade and street party. Check out the dogs and the blogs and websites of artists who participated in Arts Unleashed to appreciate some of the intricacies of moving, painting and positioning the dogs for display.

*Poppin your collar means to show off. It is hip hop slang that refers to the act of turning up the collars of preppy polo shirts. The term was made popular in song lyrics by artists such as Usher and MC Hammer.