Contact:
Laura Fulda
VP, Marketing & Communications
Humane Society Silicon Valley
(408) 727-3383 ext. 854
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Artists Hold Painting Marathon to Create 'Art for the Animals' at Humane Society Silicon Valley's New Animal Community Center

SANTA CLARA, Calif., February 6, 2009 -- Humane Society Silicon Valley's (HSSV's) new Animal Community Center opening in March 2009 will get a lot more colorful when two nationally recognized artists paint their eye popping artwork inside the animal habitats and get acquainted playrooms. Nationally recognized artist Ron Burns, the official Artist in Residence for the Humane Society of the United States, and Bay Area artist Sonya Paz, will engage in a three-day painting marathon Feb. 24, 25 and 26th at HSSV's new Animal Community Center.

"We are thrilled that Ron and Sonya have generously donated their time and talent to create their special paintings to brighten our new Animal Community Center," says Christine Benninger, HSSV president. "All of our animal habitats are cage-less and will simulate a home-like setting. Ron and Sonya's colorful artwork will create a distinct, fun and vibrant look for each animal's room."

In keeping with HSSV's environmentally green design, the artists will use special non-toxic paints.

Affectionately referred to as "America's Favorite Animal Artist," Burns is well known for his Warhol/Matisse like animal artwork painted in bright, saturated colors and begins each portrait with the eyes because from there "all the life and personality of an animal radiates outward." Burns has been featured twice on Extreme Makeover - Home Edition, and CNN, Fox News, and other national television spots, including a segment on Good Morning America. Clients include Elizabeth Taylor, the Princess of Morocco, Joan Rivers, and Doc Severinsen.

"My passion is helping orphaned animals find their furever homes, so participating in this project is very close to my heart," Burns explains. "It's exciting to see the innovation in HSSV's new Animal Community Center with its cage-less habitats, green building design and abundance of programs and services. I'm grateful for the opportunity to donate my time toward a project of this caliber, because it will do so much to help homeless animals."

Local pop artist Sonya Paz immortalizes the four-legged furry friends from her signature cubistic infused and stylized pop art perspective. Through her exuberant use of color and playful forms, bold shapes and vibrant colors leap off her canvases, while her images explode in an energetic and wildly whimsical style and appear on many different medias such as watches, ceramics, pillows, jewelry and more. Sonya and her pet SAMi were featured in the January 2008 Gentry Magazine "People and their Pets" section. She is also collected worldwide and my many celebrities grace their wrists with her collectable wristwear; William Shatner, Cheech Marin, Tim Daly, Evan Eschmeyer and Leif Garrett. In 2007, Paz was nominated in San Jose Magazine's 100 Most Influential Latinos for the category of Arts and Culture.

"I have always had a deep affection for these shelter animals," says Paz. "Partnering with HSSV allows me to give something back to homeless animals and share my artwork with people in the community who have the same passion for pets that I do. I have no doubt that HSSV's new State of the Art Animal Community Center will become a destination for people and pets throughout the Bay Area." As an official supporter of the HSSV since 2005, Sonya Paz Incorporated donates a percentage from all animal related sales firstly to benefit the shelter animals. Paz has also created HSSV's walk 'n wag official poster and marketing artwork since 2007.

About HSSV's New Animal Community Center The new center will be the Nation's first environmentally certified green Animal Community Center that combines an adoption program with a full spectrum of pet and community services under one roof. HSSV will officially open its doors in March. On March 28 from 10 am to 6 pm, HSSV will hold an Open House for the public to showcase the center's new programs and services.

Key Services Include:

* Spay/neuter medical center
* Community dog park and training center
* Doggie daycare, boarding and grooming
* Veterinary hospital with a public viewing room
* Education center and programs for children, teens and families
* Community events center
* Pet store & pet-friendly cafe

In addition to cutting edge care, the center is proud to be the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certified animal community center in the nation, showcasing the ease and beauty of water savings, energy efficiency and building in harmony with nature. A full list of the building's green features can be found at: http://giving.hssv.org/campaign

"With its enlightened architecture and design, and home-like habitats for animals, our center offers a healthy and comfortable environment for both people and pets - an inspiring model of humane care, community involvement, and green building design for shelters and nonprofits nationwide," Benninger commented.

The Animal Community Center is built on 4.8 acres of land near Milpitas Boulevard and Montague Expressway and is easily accessible to Highways 101 and 237 and Interstates 680 and 880. The $25 million project is funded through public donations.

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 80 years and found homes for more than 500,000 animals. 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 new Animal Community Center, opening in March 2009, will feature an adoption galleria, affordable spay/neuter medical center, doggie daycare, a boarding and grooming center, education center with programs for children and teens, community dog park and training center, pet store and pet-friendly café, community center, and veterinary hospital with a public viewing room. Additional information about HSSV can be found at www.hssv.org.

About Ron Burns As Burns continues to work on his second book, demand for his original work, limited editions, and first book continue to flourish on the strength of gallery sales, word of mouth among collectors, and media praise. Beyond his TV appearances, his art has also been in multiple publications, including TIME, New York Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle, and Forbes, which writes that Ron's style is "extremely collectible." For more information on Burns, please visit www.RonBurns.com or call 480.528.0333.

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, including HSSV. For more information on Paz, please visit www.sonyapaz.com or call 408.378.5000.

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