On October 10, a group of 11 artists will gather at Kaleidoscope Arts Supply in Rutland, Vermont, for a community art reception dedicated to supporting No Empty Bowls. Running from noon to 5 p.m. at 37 Center St., the group exhibition brings together diverse creators to combat companion animal surrender by keeping pets fed across Rutland County, Vermont, and Washington and Warren counties in New York.
Building Community Through Art and Pet Advocacy
The charity exhibition was organized by Julie Griffith, a 2025 graduate of Vermont State University Castleton. Griffith, who accumulated a house full of art during her undergraduate studies, wanted to donate creative works to an organization that fosters community connection. “Art is a very huge conduit to positivity in the community,” Griffith said, noting the financial challenges of living in a seasonal region. “We are permanent residents of a seasonal utopia, and that can be really challenging.”
Griffith connected with No Empty Bowls after learning about the organization’s mission to support families struggling to feed their cats and dogs. “We decided to take on the pet food problem and said, ‘What if we could help people keep their pets, keep their companion animals, and not have to face surrender?'” said Matt Reardon, a member of the No Empty Bowls group. Reardon emphasized that every donation helps prevent pets from going hungry, noting that community support is vital for their mission.
Exhibition Details and Venue Collaboration
The event takes place in the upstairs gallery of Kaleidoscope Arts Supply, with organizers planning to set up an outdoor tent on the street to encourage a relaxed, social atmosphere. Griffith noted that Crispino stepped forward to host the showcase entirely from the heart, despite the two not knowing each other prior to the planning process.
Visitors will find a wide array of mediums on display, including photography, blacksmithing, sculpture, paintings, and drawings by regional artists. Reception foods will be served, and representatives from No Empty Bowls will be on-site to discuss their work with families in need.
Academic Support and Networking Opportunities
Phil Whitman, associate professor of art at Vermont State University Castleton, provided mentorship to Griffith during the planning stages and will also feature his own work in the show. Whitman praised Griffith’s infectious enthusiasm and explained the professional value of participating in group exhibitions. “The way to become successful as an artist, is you end up networking and people actually notice your work in a group show,” Whitman said. In preparation for the event, Whitman created a new pet-focused painting to support his former student.
Whitman noted that group shows attract a more diverse audience than traditional solo exhibits, helping to rebuild connections among VTSU artists and the wider community. Griffith expressed hope that the exhibition will draw strong attendance, contrasting the upcoming reception with her past experiences working at the Castleton Bank Gallery in Rutland, where limited hours often resulted in low visitor traffic.
“Art has a job to do. Each piece has a positive impact it can make because people connect with it in different ways,” Griffith said. “I think it should be out in the world, not stored up somewhere in a room.”
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