CHICO — Everyone was feline fine at the Northern California Mock Cat Show closing reception Friday at the 1078 Gallery.
The art show, which began Oct. 4 and ran through Oct. 27, featured 137 cat-related pieces of art using plenty of different mediums. Some were drawings, paintings or photographs and some were non-traditional made from unusual materials, such as a wooden cat with a chain attached and decorated with yellow flowers. Still another featured the face of a cat made from a hodgepodge of different materials such as cardboard and wood. Some pieces were sculptures and some were made of fiber art.
Some of the entries won awards, which were chosen by the Chico Cat Coalition. Volunteer Sue Fisher got into the cat theme by wearing cat ears, as many employees and visitors were also wearing.
“I love them all,” she said about the pieces. “I can’t pick a favorite.”
Artist Albany Coyle loves to paint and draw. Her piece won the Purrsonality Award and featured a painting of a grey cat wearing a fancy outfit surrounded by mushrooms.
“I’m into mushrooms and psychedelics so I made this psychedelic kitty,” Coyle said. “Chico people love mushrooms and animals.”
Artist David Plant had made a black and white block print of a bunch of cats in an outdoor setting, with two cats chilling at a table in the corner of the painting.
“I love cats,” Plant said. “I have an orange tabby named George. This is my first show here, and I plan to enter more shows.”
There were pint sized artists in the show as well.
Madison Lynn, 8, submitted a drawing of a cat sitting on a couch. She said she loves dogs and cats equally.
“I love to paint and draw,” she said.
Madison’s mom, Des Lynn, said they have a mini art gallery at home featuring art by Madison and her sister Ava Lynn and also art made by guests and friends. There is another mini gallery in the girls’ grandmother Dianne Lynn’s living room.
Madison said she mostly likes to draw animals. The third grader who attends Neal Dow Elementary School used highlighters and colored pencils for her piece.
Ava Lynn, 12, also had a piece in the show. Her drawing featured a black cat looking out a window.
“I draw animals and really I draw everything,” she said. “I like drawing and this is my first show.”
Ava used colored pencils and watercolors in her piece. She attends Bidwell Junior High School.
“Madi and Ava are so creative and always excited to try new things,” said Diane Lynn. “They love learning and both love the arts. I’m very proud that they were willing to try something new. Both are animal lovers.”
Mariam Pakbaz was the show manager and creator. She also fit the theme of the exhibit, sporting cat ears and a leopard print shirt at the reception. She said the show is fun and a good distraction from negative events going on in the world. She has six cats.
“All ages can relate; it’s been a tough year,” Pakbaz said. “It’s nice to have a little break from all of the bad stuff in the world.”
1078 Gallery is located at 1710 Park Ave. in Chico. 1078 Gallery can be found at https://www.1078gallery.org, on Instagram under 1078gallery and on Facebook under 1078 Gallery. The next gallery show will feature artist Kyrianna with her show “Malaise” running Nov. 1 through Nov. 24. There will be an artist’s reception for this exhibit from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1.
The Chico Cat Coalition is a no-kill, volunteer-run cat shelter which serves to rescue, provide care and love and rehome abandoned, domesticated cats in Chico, according to the coalition’s website. You can find the website at www.chicocatcoalition.org and the group’s Facebook page is Chico Cat Coalition.
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