The Art Stop, downtown Tacoma’s premiere gallery of contemporary art, is proud to announce the return of Arfs and Craft, the much-loved exhibit and silent auction of hand-crafted pet bowls. The event runs from October 22nd to October 26th with a public reception on Thursday, October 24th.

Arfs and Craft benefits the Prison Pet Partnership at the Women’s Correctional Institution in Purdy, Washington and the non-profit Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound. The exhibit will feature an array of hand-crafted pet bowls in ceramic, glass, and other media—from practical everyday dishes to whimsical works of fancy. Bowls are created and donated by regional artists and some from as far away as New York.

The exhibit and silent auction begins Tuesday, October 22nd and ends on Saturday, October 26th. The reception will be held on Thursday, October 24th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. to recognize contributing artists and volunteers from the featured organizations. The Guests of Honor for the evening are the canine graduates of the program at Purdy.

The Art Stop will sponsor the highly coveted Silver Biscuit Award. This sterling silver pin, hand-crafted by Tacoma artist Joan Joachims, will go to the artist whose entry is voted Best of Show by visitors to the event.

“Pick of the Litter”—judge’s choice—is awarded by a panel of independent local celebrity judges, including Tacoma Mayor, Victoria Woodards and retired News Tribune columnist, C.R. Roberts. “Quints’ Choice” will be selected by Tacoma canine celebrity, Quints Farber-Harrison of LeRoy Jewelers.

For more information on the Prison Pet Partnership and the Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound visit their websites at http://www.prisonpetpartnership.org/ and http://www.assistancedogclub.org/. For questions about Arfs and Craft contact Phyllis Harrison, owner of The Art Stop, at artstop@hotmail.com or (253) 272-3377. The Art Stop is located at 940 Broadway in downtown Tacoma, inside LeRoy Jewelers, and is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m and from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m on Saturday.

2019 Arfs and Craft poster created by Tacoma artist, Lynne Farren.