A Celebration of the Irish Setter
If you happen to be in Britain, or if you're planning a trip there in the next few months, one of the highlights for a dog lover would have to be a visit to the Kennel Club Art Gallery. Through August 1 the Kennel Club will be featuring one of the most beautiful of all breeds, the Irish Setter. The breed has always been a favorite with artists, so there are sure to be many beautiful things to see.
And, if you're going to be in Britain during March, you have to try to go to Crufts dog show in Birmingham! The show spans three days (March 6-9) and will feature 22,964 dogs this year — making it the largest dog show in the world. Yes, the British really love dogs! Of those dogs, 1,177 will be from outside the country, including quite a few from the U.S. Dogs from the U.S. and Canada have done exceptionally well at Crufts in just the couple of years they have been able to compete with the Pet Passport scheme. Last year's Best In Show winner was a Canadian dog owned by an American. A number of Group winners have been American and Canadian dogs. Last year over 153,000 people attended Crufts.
For information about tickets to Crufts visit the show's official web site or contact them by phone from See Tickets on 0871 231 0826, or the NEC Box Office on 0870 902 8849.
If you do go to Crufts, please try to watch the English Setters for me! I would love to be able to go some time. The English Setters have done well at Crufts, too. A gorgeous English Setter was Reserve BIS a couple of years ago. I would have taken him home with me in a heartbeat!
The Kennel Club Art Gallery presents: A Celebration of the Irish Setter
Hosted by the Irish Setter Association, England in its Centenary Year
11th February – 1st August 2008
The Kennel Club Art Gallery will open its next exhibition on 11th February. This will be a celebration of the Irish Setter in Art, supporting the Irish Setter Association in its centenary year. With the support of the Association, the Art Gallery, will be displaying a number of exhibits in a variety of mediums, which portray this beautiful breed.
Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to view many items that have never before been on public display. Work from canine art legends Arthur Wardle and John Emms together with contemporary pieces by Mick Cawston are just some of the wonderful paintings that can be seen. Three dimensional works include 19th century bronzes, Royal Doulton porcelain and a life size bronze resin model to name but a few. The exhibition is complete with a wonderful collection of ephemera including jewellery, medals and most interestingly the ophthalmoscope used by William Rasbridge to examine the eyes of Irish Setters.
The Kennel Club Art Gallery is located at 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London and is open by appointment Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm. Entrance is free. To book an appointment or for further information please call 020 7518 1064 or e-mail artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk.
