Art

Draw for Paws & Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue: More Than $25K Raised for SPCA of Westchester To Date

August 24, 2019 by Stacey Pfeffer

“The Scarly Squad in Scarlett’s Garden shot on location at the Chwatko residence”. (L-R): Grace Frieder, Annabelle Fisher and Tate Shalov with Chwatko’s pets Ollie (dog) and Winnie (cat). PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON, DOUBLEVISION PHOTOGRAPHERS

Besides Scarlett Chwatko’s love of reading (see Bookmark Buddies story on page 27), she had a passion for art and animals. In fact, she often said “If I could, I would adopt every animal in the world I would”. Scarlett grew up with rescue animals and most recently had a beloved dog named Ollie and cat named Winnie.

Her love of animals and the SPCA of Westchester was set an early age. In fact, for her fourth birthday, she wanted an animal party and her mother, Robin Chwatko, inquired if the SPCA of Westchester in Briarcliff Manor could help with that request. Sure enough, they did and several rescue puppies and kittens were brought to the party so that her friends could play with them. Instead of gifts, Scarlett asked all guests to make a donation to the SPCA of Westchester.

Scarlett’s relationship with the local SPCA only deepened over time. She often served as a cage captain during adoption events held throughout the year at the shelter. Cage captains accompany the pets in their cages during adoption events and help keep them calm and comforted.

Scarlett with her dog, Ollie
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBIN CHWATKO

Draw for Paws: Scarlett’s Idea

“Scarlett loved art and drawing and animals more than anything,” explains Robin. Scarlett came up with the idea of Draw for Paws. She was hoping that people would donate $20 to this SPCA of Westchester and in return she would draw their pets or favorite animal with the proceeds going directly to the organization. She created the original sketches, the concept, the Draw for Paws logo and the color scheme. She also wrote the mission statement for the organization at a “business meeting” with her mother at Starbucks.

Turning a Dream into Reality

For the holidays this past winter, Robin bought Scarlett the domain name for the website, drawforpaws.org and hired a graphic designer to help finetune her Draw for Paws logo sketch. “We have tried really hard to keep everything as close to her vision as possible,” said Robin.

Naming the Transport & Adoption Events

The SPCA of Westchester has a special relationship with an organization based in Mississippi called Homeward Bound. The SPCA works with them to transport hundreds of puppies a year from high kill shelters in the South to bring them to the SPCA here in Westchester to find their forever homes. These puppy adoption events held several times a year at the SPCA are hugely popular with many successful adoptions taking place but they are costly-roughly $50,000 a year to rescue, spay/neuter, transport and adopt out 300-400 puppies.

“When we knew Scarlett wasn’t doing well, I knew that people in the community would want to honor her. Although there are wonderful organizations that help kids with cancer, I knew that she would not want that to be her legacy,” explains Robin.

As Scarlett’s condition worsened, Robin reached out to the SPCA. Together they thought that naming the transport/adoption events in her honor would be an ideal way for the community to help an organization that Scarlett loved and was truly passionate about. Scarlett was always thinking about how she could help the animals at the SPCA. “She would donate all the blankets she received during hospital stays to the animals,” Robin recalls.

Cage captains, (L-R) Bryce Gell, Annabelle Fisher and Maddie Weiser at the inaugural Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue event
Photo courtesy of Robin Chwatko

Brainstorming A Name for the Transports

When Robin and Scarlett first conceptualized Draw for Paws, Scarlett said she wanted to create every picture on her own. Robin suggested that Scarlett “employ” a few of her friends to help with the artwork. So she asked three of her friends, Annabelle Fisher, Grace Frieder and Tate Shalov (all rising fourth graders) to join her on this endeavor. These girls are all founding friends listed on the drawforpaws.org website.

After Scarlett’s passing, her friends came up with the name “Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue” for the transports and decided to call themselves the Scarly Squad, but their involvement didn’t stop there. The Scarly Squad looked through Scarlett’s artwork and chose pieces that appear on the Draw for Paws website. They, along with Scarlett’s friends, family, and teachers also helped serve as cage captains at the inaugural Draw for Paws/Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue adoption event held this past June at the SPCA in Briarcliff, which helped to raise more than $25,000 with funds that the community made in her honor at spca914.org/Scarlett and from contributions made on drawforpaws.org since the program launched. At this time, all contributions made on the Draw for Paws website will directly fund Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue transport/adoption events.

Anyone Can Be an Artist

“We knew Draw for Paws was a way to directly involve Scarlett’s friends and family,” explains Robin. Robin admits that she was a bit hesitant initially and was worried that the people would not like the portraits drawn by the child artists but the response has been overwhelmingly positive from both the artists and the recipients of the artwork.

In order to become a Draw for Paws artist, an artist profile is needed. Artists are required to fill in an outline of a bunny that Scarlett drew named the Scarly Bunny and add a few details about themselves on the website. “Her friends are literally drawing WITH Scarlett- immersing themselves in her art by filling in this sketch. It is such a beautiful and special way to support her, remember her, and connect to her. It is also very therapeutic for so many of these kids who are feeling her loss.”

What’s Next for Draw for Paws

Robin hopes to expand the reach of Draw for Paws. Right now, the majority of the artists are local but they have had requests for portraits from Texas, New Jersey, Florida and California. “While our campaign will continue to fund Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue, we encourage kids anywhere to start a Draw for Paws Campaign to help animals. For example, if an artist based in Florida wants to protect sea turtles, we will promote their campaign on our site and help them get up and running,” explained Robin.

Beyond Puppy Portraits

“The portraits are really incredible. People love them and want multiple drawings by different artists to collect them.” And the artists aren’t only drawing dogs, they’ve made portraits of cats, chickens, hamsters and dophins.

Currently, the artist is chosen randomly. “You can get a 5-year-old or a teen drawing your portrait,” said Robin but she is working to get celebrities and well-established artists on board in the future. “My favorite day of the week is sending out the orders – I feel Scarlett every time I send a portrait to a recipient. It is amazing to be able to honor her vision and spirit exactly as she wished.”

Draw for Paws at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

Draw for Paws will have a special presence at this year’s Chappaqua Childrens Book Festival. Several illustrators will raffle original art as well as hold live “how to draw” demonstrations at the Draw for Paws booth.

Draw for Paws Portraits

German shepherd created by Rex, age 9, Manhattan

Celebrating Beauty and Community Through Art

June 3, 2019 by Julia Bialek

Art Around Town Creates a Strolling Art Gallery in Our Backyard

After what seemed like a week of never-ending rain, the sun came out on Friday and shone brightly on the town. On this beautiful evening, Chappaqua was packed with members of the community as they enjoyed the opening reception for the fifth installation of Art Around Town, an event hosted by the Northern Westchester Artists Guild (NWAG). Pairing artists with merchants and transforming Chappaqua into a strolling art gallery, Art Around Town gives artists the opportunity to install their work in local shops for the month of June. A vibrant celebration of art, music, and community, the opening night kick-off included receptions at the participating merchants with wine, food, and the artists to discuss their work, which is all for sale via NWAG. All over town, community-members excitedly observed the artwork and engaged with the artists, entering stores and mingling with merchants in the process.

The Art Map, featuring the artists’ locations around town.

The “Art Around Town” balloon arch, blown partially upside-down in the wind.

Between the beautiful weather, the breathtaking work of the 29 participating artists, and the live music from Jimmy Tate, it was a truly lovely evening. “Art Around Town is a great event that provides artists with an opportunity to showcase their work while bringing our community together to support our local businesses. Our merchants need and deserve our support and it was great to see so many residents doing just that,” stated Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor.

When asked about the inspiration behind the idea for Art Around town, Peg Kafka Sackler, Co-Found of NWAG, adds: “There was a group of us trying to find something that could put Chappaqua on the map, and re-engage our community as a hub for visual arts. We are a typical small town, surrounding NYC and looking to capture some of the vibrancy that the arts can infuse into a community. This collaborative event connects the artist, the merchants, the town governance and the community members with a sense of pride and town spirit.” And for everyone in attendance, the electric spirit of the event was palpable. From Randi Childs’s beautiful photographs, to Jessie Rubin’s striking pop art which many described in awe as “happy art,” to Rhonda Hurwitz’s paintings inspired by her daughter’s jewelry line, town was saturated with art of every kind. The talent possessed by these artists is nothing short of spectacular. If you find yourself in town during the month of June, you won’t regret taking the time to walk through the stores and appreciate the artwork hanging proudly on the walls.

Rachel White, whose impressive equestrian paintings are up for display in town, shared with me the most important thing she learned from her transition from a corporate career to her art career, stating: “What I have learned from all of my experiences is that it is important to surround yourself with things that you find beautiful.” In saying this, she perfectly captured how the event transformed our town: it surrounded us with beauty. But beauty wasn’t just found in the incredible artwork. With the juxtaposition of lively conversation and silent thought, beauty could also be found in the way our town came together to appreciate art, celebrating local artists and the beautiful things they create in the process.

Photographs of some of the artwork are featured below:

Exhibit Opening Reception: Mary Ellis – So Far Pop Art to Abstract Expressionism

May 31, 2019 by The Inside Press

This exhibition represents the fusion of Mary Ellis’ process over a 15 year time span. In her evolution from Pop Art to Abstract Expressionism, Ellis has merged her graphic and Fine Art skills into one expression, a continuous emerging of style, composition and technique.

ABOUT MARY ELLIS

For over 40 years, Mary Ellis has been internationally recognized for her Pop Art icons that appear on thousands of gift products. She is a graphic artist and an Abstract Expressionist painter. Ellis grew up in Croton, and now lives in Briarcliff Manor. She received her BFA degree from Pratt Institute. Having studied under Alex Katz, Richard Linder, Mercedes Matter, and Robert Mallory, Mary developed her own unique style.

A number of years ago products that Mary was making for retail consumption had grown dramatically, taking time away from Ellis’ painting. Something inside told her she needed to return to her passion for painting if she wanted to be happy and fulfilled as an artist. She began painting with, intensity, commitment, and discipline, something that had been missing for a long time. This retrospective, Mary Ellis-So Far, represents the fusion of Ellis’ process over a 15 year time span. In her evolution from Pop Art to Abstract Expressionism, Ellis has merged her graphic and Fine Art skills into one expression, a continuous emerging of style, composition and technique.

Exhibit on Display: June 8th to June 30th

Opening Reception: June 8th 6-9pm

Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm

Mary is dedicating a generous portion of the proceeds from this show to establish an Art Supply Fund for children at Bethany Arts Community. Contact BAC to help this fund grow.

Woman

April 18, 2019 by Julia Bialek

I am woman,

my blood a map crafted by

all the strong women that

came before, that fought before.

This copper fuel surges through

my veins, propelling me forward,

compelling me to care.

I follow this map left for me.

It is my guide.

I am my mother’s daughter

and for that I am proud.

She is the original owner

of my hazel eyes through which

I see this world and will it to change.

It is her voice in my head that cries

If he can do it why can’t I?

And it is her actions that

provide me with the answer:

I can.

I am sewn from a fabric of equality,

with words as the thread that

mends lives and stitches souls.

When woven into hearts

this thread has the power to free

the tethers tying women’s

feet to the ground so we can

climb to the clouds and capture our dreams.

My cloud is waiting.

I am indebted to all women that fought,

all women that continue to fight.

Thank you.

The torch is now mine and

I will brandish it with the strength

infused by you into my blood.

It will illuminate the path and

serve as a comfort, for the blood

in my body and the torch in my hand

remind me that I am never alone.

My work begins now.

I am continuing this fight

heavy of heart.

Despite all the ground that has been

touched with light, there is still darkness.

Only when there are no more ceilings to shatter,

because we have surpassed every boundary,

explored every frontier and collected jars full

of glittering glass, will the darkness

be eradicated for good.

So I’ll fight.

I am woman,

A tapestry of history,

a slate for the future.

One day, when I have the honor

of passing on my blood,

my map,

I hope that it will be an artifact,

rather than a tool,

that the place to which it leads

will have been found and excavated

for its precious treasure.

But if not, I hope to proudly pass

my torch to the next,

knowing that she, too, is dreaming

of following her blood.

That is woman.

Armonk Outdoor Art Show Draws a Diverse Crowd of Artists and Art Aficionados

October 24, 2018 by Madeline Rosenberg

Oil painter John Pompeo sat in front of his display of landscape and still life artwork, observing the adults and children who passed by his exhibit at this year’s Armonk Outdoor Art Show.

“I want to put peace out into the world,” said the Philadelphia-area artist, who has attended the show for three years. “I like that my paintings make people happy.”

Pompeo is one of 185 juried artists who attended the 57th annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show, displaying their work for thousands of visitors on Sept. 29 and 30. Sponsored by the Friends of North Castle Public Library, this year’s show not only featured artists spanning from sculptors to painters, but also a wide range of food vendors, a family activities tent, live music, and hands-on art for kids and adults. As 22 rows of tents lined an open field on Business Park Drive, visitors came to purchase or peruse photographs, paintings, mixed media, printmaking, jewelry and sculptures during the two-day event.

An attendee at Carl Zachmann’s display, who is a second-year Armonk Outdoor Art Show exhibitor and a machine artist.

Greenwich, CT residents Kate and Jordan Shaner said they were happy to attend this year’s art show for the first time, joining thousands of attendees to view a wide range of art exhibitions. The couple came to this year’s show after Israeli artist and Armonk Outdoor Art Show exhibitor Yoram Gal invited them to browse his paintings.

“We fell in love with his work in Jaffa, Israel,” said Kate Shaner on the second day of the show. “It’s great to see so many people in the community here to look at art.”

Not only did visitors enjoy this year’s event, but artists also said they appreciated the show’s atmosphere and the diverse selection artwork. First-year exhibitor Bruce Franklin said this event is his favorite show he has attended as a photographer, displaying photos from his excursions in Africa and the Bahamas.

“I’m really impressed by the quality of the work that is here,”

Photographer Bruce Franklin at his booth

said the photographer, who mostly captures images of wild animals and plants. “I love the patrons and the artists, too. The best part is the people–art savvy people.”

And it’s not so easy to become an exhibitor at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, which Franklin’s comments reflect. Debbie Heidecorn, Armonk resident and one of several co-chairs for the event, said an independent group of jurors who are members of the art community chooses from more than 600 applications as part of the show’s year-long planning process. Only artists who receive awards at the show are guaranteed a spot the following year.

Although the process to exhibit artwork at the art show is competitive, both artists and visitors found themselves at a friendly community event, filled with hundreds of volunteers who look to improve the show each year.

“Every year we learn,” said Heidecorn. “It’s a learning experience because we only do it once a year. We are so happy that people are so easily adaptable to changes.”