Want to find out the real truth about cats and dogs? Come bark up the right tree at the Watchung Arts Center!

 Hulya Karaca Nye, a painter and printmaker from Short Hills will be curating the next art show in the center’s upstairs gallery  from July 3-30 entitled “The Understanding and Misunderstanding of Animals.” This show will feature 13 artists from New Jersey including: Al Alexander, Aaron Brookner, Diane Churchill, Joan Covell, Allen Crawford, Steven Frim, Suellen Glashausser, Tom Gayer, Doug Lindasy, Lora Shelley, Ross Wagner, Janet Ziff, and Hulya Nye, herself. These artists were chosen from both the center’s slide registries and from an art show in Newark entitled “A City Without Walls.”

The exhibit will focus on man’s relationship with animals. Since man’s existence began, animal imagery has been painted, printed and used for decorative purposes in our homes, churches and schools. Animals have been loved, feared, worshipped, idolized, pampered, worked, hunted, tested and disposed of. Man’s complex and controversial relationship with animals continues now as it has for centuries. The artists listed above will explore this tenuous relationship psychologically, socially and playfully in their own unique and personal styles.

The work on display in this exhibit will consist of both drawing and photography. The pieces will include Jane Covell’s “Patience,” Ross Wagner’s “Tycho with a Japanese Lantern” and Hulya Nye’s “Havoc in the Garden.” These works charmingly depict man’s relationship with their animal companions. Should these pictures charm the viewer as well, it might be possible to purchase them as many works will also be up for sale during this exhibit.

So come find out the real truth about cats and dogs! The art center is open from 1 to 4 p.m. every weekday and on Saturdays. Those who are real party animals are invited to participate in a dog-gone great reception being held for these artists on Sunday, July 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. The reception is open to the public, absolutely free and refreshments are served. Come go hog-wild with us this July!