PORT ANGELES — A fundraiser for the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society building fund will be “For the Birds (and other Critters)” on Saturday.
Bird-related art from five Clallam County artists will be on display at Olympic Cellars Winery.
The bird-themed arts and crafts show and wine tasting will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the winery, 255410 U.S. Highway 101, between Port Angeles and Sequim.
Wine tasting is $5 for five wines, or visitors can buy wine by the glass. Individual by-the-glass prices vary according to the wine selected.
Art offerings include birdhouses by Patty Ford, colorful paintings with the theme “Chickens w/’Tudes” by Maryann Proctor of Sequim, feeders for “Flocks” by Sharon Prosser, a whimsical ceramic menagerie by Nancy Lawrence and a quirky metal sculpture zoo by Natalie Brown, owner of Steel Coyote art studio.
Proceeds from sales
Proceeds from the sales will go to the Humane Society’s building fund to complete the new 9-acre shelter facility at 1743 Old Olympic Highway.
The first phase of the new facility is expected to be open in November.
Dog kennels are under construction by general contractor Hoch Construction.
The 5,500-square-foot dog building will house 40 indoor-outdoor kennels, a grooming area and space for additional kennels to be constructed as needed.
It will be a large expansion from the Humane Society’s present home east of Port Angeles, which has 28 indoor-only kennels with disconnected outdoor runs.
The first phase will include the temporary conversion of three existing modular houses into cat kennels, a veterinary office and administrative offices.
The $1.43 million cost also includes the price of the land, which was purchased for $325,000 in October 2012; the loan was repaid in full in June 2013.
The property has a wooded area with private trails for walking dogs, a field where farm animals can be kept and a pole barn.
Future phases are expected to include the construction of a dedicated veterinary, cat kennel and administration buildings.
Artist’s gratitude
One of the artists donating her birdhouses told of her gratitude to the organization.
Ford adopted Amber, a boxer-hound mix, from the Humane Society after the death of her husband, John Ford, in April 2014.
Amber, who was about 5 years old then, was at the very back of the kennels, Ford said.
“I watched other people say, ‘No.’ I had to rescue her. But who rescued whom?” she said.
“She kept me engaged in life. She demanded to be fed and to take walks.”
While on those walks, Ford began to find small objects, including interesting small wood branches, and began eying her late husband’s woodshop.
She learned to use the power tools and soon began making birdhouses, a natural extension of the garden the Fords had built together.
Most of the birdhouses are both decorative and functional, and can be displayed as indoor art pieces or outdoors as art that birds can use, Ford said.
They are created of found materials from forest walks with Amber and of recycled materials from other projects or from yard sales, she said.
Soon, those birdhouses filled shelves in the workshop, the garage and in her home, and were hung outside.
A tree swallow family took up residence in one of the birdhouses she had hung on her front porch while waiting for the fundraiser.
“I guess that one’s not for sale,” Ford said.
For more information about the Humane Society, see www.ophumanesociety.org or call 360-457-8206.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
