Contact:
Sonya Paz Fine Art
408.241.0001

Mark Kovich
Public Relations for Sonya Paz
408.241.0001
Press Contact Information

ARTIST SONYA PAZ AND HUMANE SOCIETY SILICON VALLEY OFFER "ART BY THE POUND"
Animals will be Available for Adoption Alongside Art on October 14-15

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 19, 2006 - Sonya Paz, a Santa Clara-based artist, has partnered with Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) to offer a unique event for those who love art and animals. "Art by the Pound" brings animal and art lovers under one roof, featuring animals available for adoption through HSSV and animal inspired artwork from Paz.

"Art by the Pound" will be held Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15 from 1 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days at the Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery, 1793 Lafayette Street, Suites 105-110, in Santa Clara. A percentage of the proceeds will directly benefit the shelter animals at HSSV. The special exhibit will continue to be displayed at the Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery until October 22.

"We are thrilled to partner with Sonya on this unique event to help raise money for our shelter animals," said Christine Benninger, president of Humane Society Silicon Valley. "It's not often that you have an artist of her caliber going out of her way to help homeless animals. We truly appreciate Sonya's generous support."

"I have always had a deep affection for animals, and feel this partnership provides a perfect opportunity to give homeless animals a second chance," said Paz. "Animals are one of the many causes I support, and having partnered recently with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, I was inspired to do something creative locally that would help to provide homes for animals in need," Paz explained. "Partnering with HSSV allows me to give something back to the shelter animals and meet people in the community who share the same passion for pets that I do."

In addition to her signature Wine Country and Cityscapes artwork, Paz will have several animal related paintings on display, including many fun new pieces from the "Cat-itude," "Dawg Gone It" and the new "Wishful Thinking" series. She will also be showing her exciting new line of colorful wristwatches inspired by former shelter dogs and cats, which she has marketed as "art, captured in time.™" "Wishful Thinking" portrays a dog with a bone floating in a cloud above his head and "Cat-itude" features a pop art cat staring out with a 'I'm too busy to be bothered look.' The watches are individually numbered of an edition of only 200 made specifically for Humane Society Silicon Valley.

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction to purchase a basket of goodies donated by Cesar Millan, star of the National Geographic channel's "Dog Whisperer" show. Millan has donated a signed photograph, his book and book on tape titled "Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems," a DVD titled People Training for Dogs: A Common Sense Guide to Understanding the Basics of Dog Behavior," and a DVD containing the complete first season of the Dog Whisperer. Paz will also include one of her "Wishful Thinking" watches. All of the money raised from the silent auction will benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley.
Additionally, Paz will hold a drawing for guests to have a chance to win a free 5" x 7" original piece of artwork.

To see the artwork created by Sonya Paz for "Art by the Pound" and for more information regarding this special event in October, visit: www.hssv.org or www.sonyapaz.com or call the Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery at (408) 241-0001 or HSSV at (408) 727-3383 x879. For those unable to attend "Art by the Pound", donations can be made directly to HSSV via their website at www.hssv.org.
or call the Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery at (408) 241-0001 or HSSV at (408) 727-3383 x879.

DONATIONS

For those unable to attend "Art by the Pound", donations can be made directly to HSSV via their website.
Established in 1929, Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) has grown into one of the largest animal shelters caring for nearly 29,000 animals in fiscal 2003-04. As an independent, nonprofit organization, HSSV services include adoptions, medical services for spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, education programs, behavior hotline and a foster care program.

About Sonya Paz Fine Art

Sonya is a native Californian and lives in San Jose. Her positive, creative attitude and passionate expression represent an optimistic view of the world. The Cubist movement and American Pop Art inspire her bold and vibrant works of art. Seasoned by traveling the world to study art and its history, Sonya has a passion for Modern Art, Pop Art, Cubism, Modernism and Surrealism. These combined influences can be seen in much of her work, where traditional styles compete with energetic pop art images of the past 25 years.

Sonya has donated art and worked with many charities to raise funds. In the summer 2005, she partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to design a watch called "Passionate Survivor." Only 250 of these watches were created. Sonya's watch line, "art, captured in time™," features five faces of her colorful Modern Pop Art in a genuine leather band, available in five colors.

In December 2004, Sonya opened her own fine art gallery in Santa Clara, Calif., and expanded the gallery to 3,200 square feet in 2005. Her works are represented in major galleries across the United States. Sonya's art is also featured at many distinctive wineries in Northern California, including Sonoma, Napa, Alameda and Monterey Counties. She also created an exclusive label for a Livermore Valley Winery, "el Sol." Her work is also displayed at wineries from Oregon to Maine.

Sonya is vice president of the Artists Guild of San Francisco. Over the past few years, her art has been exhibited at a number of venues. These include Pop Gallery at the Walt Disney Resort on Ornaldo, Effusion Gallery in Miami, and International Artexpo in New York City 2004 and 2005. For further information, visit Sonya Paz Fine Art at: www.sonyapaz.com.

About Humane Society Silicon Valley

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is an independent, non-profit agency offering quality adoptions, medical care and education programs to enhance the human-animal bond. Established in 1929, HSSV has served Silicon Valley for 77 years and grown into one of the largest animal shelters on the West Coast, caring for nearly 20,000 animals in fiscal year 2005-2006. To date, HSSV has adopted more than 500,000 animals into permanent, loving homes. HSSV is an "open door" shelter and accepts animals 24-hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of any temperament or health related problems. HSSV's medical center offers affordable spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchips to the public. More information about HSSV can be found at our website at www.hssv.org