Rotorua exhibition celebrates man's best friend

Mark Anstis' painting Hurry Up Human will be in the show. Photo/Supplied

People can celebrate their love for man's furry best friends while also supporting a great cause with an upcoming exhibition.

The Man's Best Friend exhibition will run from February 17 to April 29 at the Helium Gallery, with an opening night next Friday.

Helium Gallery manager Sarah Ziessen says February 16 is the beginning of the Chinese New Year of the dog, so they thought they could do a dog show.

She has also wanted to raise funds for the SPCA, and so 10 per cent of all exhibition sales will go to the SPCA.

At the opening night all proceeds from the bar will also be donated.

Sarah says she loves animals and that the SPCA is a great cause.

"They look after the ones no one else wants to look after.

"They need more money and have a lot of work to do."

She thinks you can judge a society or community by the way it treats its animals.

Sarah says the exhibition will feature all dogs in a range of mediums, including textile ceramics, paintings and prints.

The art work is by artists from all over New Zealand, though the majority are locals, she says.

Local artist Maxine Thompson will be in the gallery on March 3, where she will spend the day doing live portraits, painting people's dogs.

Sarah says there will be 10 sessions of half an hour each for people to have their dog drawn.

Dog pendant by Jennifer Laracy which will be in the show. Photo/Supplied

These portraits will cost $50 each with all proceeds going to the SPCA.

"I think if you love dogs you will love some of the work in the show.

"There are some really lovely pieces."

For more information go to www.eventfinda.co.nz.