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Cyrus Mejia
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Clay Myers
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Best Friends Art Project

The Best Friends Art Project is an exhibition of works by Cyrus Mejia, artist, and Clay Myers, photographer, of Best Friends Animal Society. The project gives voice to the idea that "euthanasia" is not an acceptable solution to the overpopulation of domestic animals. This exhibition reflects a reality, which has already taken root in so many communities: working for a day when there truly will be no more homeless pets.

Cyrus Mejia's paintings and Clay Myers' photographs reflect the mission of Best Friends Animal Society, to help bring about the day when every dog and cat born will have a loving home, and there will be no more homeless pets.

Cyrus Mejia's paintings explore the perspective of animals, viewed from above, looking up at us. By painting their faces larger than life and putting them up at our eye level Cyrus Mejia brings a view that's often overlooked, sharply into focus.

Clay Myers describes his photographs as "captured moments". This exhibition includes a series of photographs of people with pets, depicting the strong bond between them. His close-up view of animals evokes their unique, individual value and worth.

The exhibition will also feature an installation of works from The 575 Project, created by Cyrus Mejia over the last 3 years. Last year between four and five million unwanted pets were put to death in U.S. shelters. Five million would be 13,800 every day, or 575 dogs and cats killed every hour. The 575 Project is a memorial to these unwanted pets.

Look:

See more images from the past several exhibits (Washington D.C., Chicago, and San Mateo) by clicking on the pictures above.

Listen:

Listen to the speeches given at the Best Friends Art Project in Chicago.

	Aimee St Arnaud, Community Program Manager for No More Homeless Pets, was the evening's MC and introduced all the speakers. She spoke about how Best Friends is working together with other organizations in the area to help the animals in the Chicago area. Download (2 megs)
	Chuck Hagopian from the Illinois state treasurer's office spoke about "Treasured Pets" a program the Treasurer started to help Chicago's homeless pets. Download (2 megs)
	Paula Fasseas, founder of PAWS Chicago, spoke about the work PAWS is doing to make Chicago a no kill city. Download (3 megs)
	Cyrus Mejia spoke about the artwork on display, the importance of public awareness and how by working together we can bring an end to the needless killing of homeless pets. Download (11 megs)

Learn:

To read an article on the event, click here.

To learn more about the Best Friends Art Project, or request that the exhibition come to your town, contact:

Nicole Riar, Conference & Events Manager
No More Homeless Pets
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, UT 84741
435-644-3965 ext. 4163 (phone)
435-644-3965 ext. 4951 (fax)
nicole@bestfriends.org