A (PURR)FECT CAUSE. The Dunn County Humane Society invites community members to attend its upcoming silent auction and arts event from 6pm-9pm on March 6, "The HeART of Dunn County: Fundraiser & Art Market." The event will showcase artwork (pictured) provided by local artists, followed with a silent auction of larger, one-of-a-kind installations. (Submitted photo)

Our local art community has been supporting Mr. Kitty’s Cat Café (502 S Farwell St., Eau Claire) and Bob’s House for Dogs (E3015 County Rd HH, Eleva) with volunteers who have generously given their talents to paint pet portraits. So, animals have been popping up on our easels for the last few months.

To further that effort, I recently sat down with Harvey Weidman, the director of marketing and development from the Dunn County Humane Society (302 Brickyard Rd, Menomonie), who gave me a tour of its facility.

At the humane society in Menomonie, 18 staff members and passionate volunteers accept all strays found within their municipalities – providing shelter, food, veterinary care and the touch of human kindness.

They do the best they can with the resources provided to them, but as a non-profit, they rely on the compassion of the community.

"Those of us who work in nonprofits pour our whole hearts into our mission, and it requires so much determination, inspiration, and creativity in ways that often go unseen," Weidman said. "It’s deeply personal and yet requires you to step outside of yourself, and that, to me, is so similar to an artist’s experience."

"Although the manifestation looks different, most people only look at the surface-level, the end result, the finished piece or, in our case, the adopted cat starting its new life with a new family," Weidman continued.

To provide funds for their organization, The Dunn County Humane Society invites all community members to attend its upcoming silent auction and arts event from 6pm-9pm on March 6, "The HeART of Dunn County: Fundraiser & Art Market."

Pet portraits, pictured above, will be available on-site; its proceeds will benefit the Dunn County Humane Society. (Submitted photo)

At the event – hosted within the Historic Mabel Tainter Theater (205 Main St E, Menomonie) – attendees will have the chance mingle with neighbors and fellow animal lovers, share pet stories, learn about the Dunn County Humane Society's mission and purchase donated pieces of art – ranging from pottery, stained glass and textile arts, to painting, jewelry, woodworking, and more.

All artwork will be provided by local artists, followed with a silent auction of larger, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Folks will also have the chance to get their own pet portraits painted into a lasting keepsake to take home, Weidman said.

Food and drinks from area vendors will be stationed in various sections of the building; local musicians will also perform throughout the theater, including Menomonie's Cap'n Seabeard and Joe Carlson.

"The HeART of Dunn County" will surely be a wonderful showcase – where every ticket sold, every bid placed or artwork purchased helps to ensure every unhomed animal in the humane society's care has the chance to find a new family.

"The heart behind the donated art for this event and the heart behind our mission are the same, and we hope that this event highlights not just the work that we do, or the art that is created, but the true heart behind it all," Weidman said.

Tickets are available now for $35/person if purchased by Feb. 28, or $45 at the door. To attend or donate art, visit: www.dunncountyhumanesociety.org. “Behind the Easel” is a periodic column by Patricia Hawkenson, a visual artist and one of the proprietors of Decadent Gifts & Gallery in Eau Claire.