Blue Dog art takes Sand Springs by storm

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum could be the first place in Oklahoma to house the internationally acclaimed Blue Dog art series by George Rodrigue.

Art by students at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy is on display at the downtown Triangle Park.

Student Blue Dogs on display at the downtown Triangle Park.

3 Feathers BBQ serves up delicious meats at the Art in the Park fundraising event.

Patrons of the arts gather around the downtown Sand Springs Triangle to celebrate student paintings.

Julie Bedokis, owner of Dog and Duck Antiques in downtown Sand Springs, speaks at a publicity event for the Blue Dog exhibit, encouraging locals to get behind the campaign.

Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson speaks at a publicity event for the Blue Dog exhibit and challenges fellow Rotarians to help fund the event.

Blue dogs have invaded Sand Springs, Oklahoma. No, nobody is dyeing their pets. Louisana artist George Rodrigue's interpretation of the Cajun werewolf has migrated northwest thanks to the efforts of a local art teacher and the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition.

The Blue Dog series catapulted Rodrigue to international acclaim in the 1990's when it was used in ad campaigns by Absolut Vodka and Xerox Corporation.

The dog's fame hasn't tapered off a bit in Sand Springs, where students at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy create their own Blue Dogs every year in Jennifer Barretto's class. 

Student paintings have been on display around Sand Springs this past year as the town has made increased efforts to patronize the arts and celebrate the efforts of the kids. The works have made their way into various businesses as well as the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum.

The Sand Springs Small Business Coalition recently held an Art in the Park showcase on the downtown Triangle Park with vendors, food trucks, and live music. That event raised more than $1,000 to help bring an authentic Blue Dog exhibit to the Sand Springs Museum.

Barretto is working to raise $18,000 to bring original Blue Dog paintings to the museum from November through February. The money will cover transportation, insurance, new security for the museum, and a full time security guard for the length of the exhibit. 

Many local business owners believe that bringing Blue Dog to town could be a huge economic stimulant, attracting thousands of art connoisseurs who would also spend money at local shops, restaurants, convenience stores, etc. 

On Tuesday, May 15th, Barretto will be hosting a "Paint Your Own Blue Dog" event at Northwoods. She will provide canvas and supplies for $25 as a fundraiser for the exhibit. She plans to host another painting session as more of a date night in the near future with hors d'oeuvre and wine. 

The exhibit funding is closing in on $5,000, and an anonymous donor has pledged to match that amount which would bring the total to $10,000. The full amount must be raised by September.

Sand Springs City Councilman and House District 66 candidate Brian Jackson has called on his fellow Oklahoma Rotarians to support bringing Blue Dog to Oklahoma for the first time. 

In addition to a Go Fund Me account, Barretto is also selling raffle tickets for an original Blue Dog print, which will be given away during the grand opening of the exhibit. 

Barretto is heavily involved in the community, working as a realtor in addition to teaching. She serves on the Small Business Coalition, the Museum Association Board, and is helping to launch an Art Council in Sand Springs.

For more information on the Blue Dog exhibit, contact Barretto at jennifer.barretto@sandites.org or 918-850-1902.