Fur-Vor: Creating the UpCycled Dogs of Alexandria
Dogs have an undeniable presence in the City of Alexandria. They are frequently seen walking with their owners, playing in one of our city’s many dog parks, drinking from bowls outside businesses, and enjoying treats from shop counters. Numerous businesses in Alexandria cater to the needs of dogs and their owners, and it’s unlikely a day will pass without a resident encountering a dog. Our project explores the roles that dogs play in the City of Alexandria and how they fit into our community.
Fur-Vor will encourage and enhance artistic engagement with businesses, students, local artists, and the Alexandria community throughout the phases of the project. The project will engage over 200 students enrolled in Alexandria City’s out-of-school programs to introduce them to new artistic media. The project will also engage businesses in Alexandria in a competition to create Fur-Vor art using their own upcycled material. We intend to enlist the assistance from Alexandria-based Torpedo factory artists to create a dog-themed float and costumes for the Scottish Walk, which draws 30,000 visitors to the city each December. Finally, at several community events, including Del Ray's First Thursday, Art on the Avenue, the AWLA Shelter Walk, and Alexandria's Earth Day Celebration, Fur-Vor will engage the public in and provide opportunities for the community to create upcycled art.
Fur-Vor will encourage and enhance artistic engagement with businesses, students, local artists, and the Alexandria community throughout the phases of the project. The project will engage over 200 students enrolled in Alexandria City’s out-of-school programs to introduce them to new artistic media. The project will also engage businesses in Alexandria in a competition to create Fur-Vor art using their own upcycled material. We intend to enlist the assistance from Alexandria-based Torpedo factory artists to create a dog-themed float and costumes for the Scottish Walk, which draws 30,000 visitors to the city each December. Finally, at several community events, including Del Ray's First Thursday, Art on the Avenue, the AWLA Shelter Walk, and Alexandria's Earth Day Celebration, Fur-Vor will engage the public in and provide opportunities for the community to create upcycled art.
Fur-Vor Community Events
- Fur and Photography Event at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria - Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 am - 12pm
- Junk Mail Collage at Art on the Avenue - Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 am - 4 pm
- Making a Papier-Mâché Pet at the Torpedo Factory's Art Safari, Oct. 11, 12 - 4 pm
- Papier-Mâché Masks at UpCycle - Oct. 18 from 11 am - 1 pm & Oct. 25 from 10 am - 1 pm
- Fur-Vor Inspired Paper Cloth on Canvas at UpCycle - Nov. 8, 10:30 am - 1 pm
- Scottish Walk Parade in Old Town Alexandria - Saturday, Dec. 6th, 11 am
- Screen Printed Gift Wrap at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria - Sunday, Dec. 14th, 12 - 2 pm
- Fur-Vor Inspired Cigar Box Art at UpCycle - Saturday, Jan. 31, 10 am - 1 pm
Recreation Center Outreach
From November through March, UpCycle will be engaging children in the Recreation Department's Out of School Time programs in creative reuse art that depicts dogs. The following locations will participate: Mt. Vernon, Douglas MacArthur, Nannie Lee, Charles Houston, John Adams, Cora Kelly, Patrick Henry, Hammond, William Ramsay, and Charles Barrett. Read more in our blog post.
Sponsors & Project Partners
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This project is funded by generous support from the Alexandria City Commission for the Arts, 2015 Arts Grant program.
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LEADER OF THE PACK
Jen Walker
Jen Walker
BIG BARKER
Linda & Larry Smith
LUCKY DOG
Baylor Solutions
Rita Bittle
Sissy Walker
FIDO'S FRIENDS
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Tucker and Carole Clark
Finbar and Amy & Jim Devine
Wonka and Henry Dorton
Greg Knott
Lisa Schumaier
Sediment Press
Linda & Larry Smith
LUCKY DOG
Baylor Solutions
Rita Bittle
Sissy Walker
FIDO'S FRIENDS
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Tucker and Carole Clark
Finbar and Amy & Jim Devine
Wonka and Henry Dorton
Greg Knott
Lisa Schumaier
Sediment Press