GOLDEN, COLO. (January 28, 2009) — The Horse Protection League (HPL) announces Art for Horses, a fundraising art show. The equine and western themed fine art exhibit and sale will show from Friday February 19, through Saturday March 6, 2010, at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design in the Rotunda Pavilion.

The Opening Artists’ Reception is Friday February 19, from 6:00 to 9:00pm, and will feature award winning western music by Bill Barwick & Friends. Everyone is welcome to attend the reception.

An eclectic group of award winning artists has contributed paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculpture for the show. Some of the participating artists are: Dix Baines, Susan Bell, Cat Deuter, Moni Heil, Jean Cole, Gifford Ewing, Loretta Young-Gautier, Lindsey Bittner Graham, Linda Israel, Laura Mehmert, Karen G. Myers, Diane Perry, and Janene DiRico-Cable.

One highlight of the show will be the “Triple Threat” bronze sculpture of three horses by Janene DiRico-Cable. “Triple Threat” was chosen as the United States Equestrian Federation's/EQUUS Foundation’s Humanitarian Award for 2010.

As well as loving horses, many of the HPL volunteers are art lovers or artists themselves, so the idea of having an art show to benefit the horses makes perfect sense.

The Horse Protection League is operated entirely by volunteers. HPL has no paid staff. 365 days a year, volunteers feed, groom, exercise, and nurse the horses back to health and rebuild their trust for human beings. The volunteers are on a mission here. The goal is to get the horses adopted into loving homes and to contribute to the overall welfare of horses.

Volunteers also maintain the Colorado historic site, Churches Ranch, where the rescue is located. The Churches family settled the land in the 1800’s. Their original ranch house and barn have been restored by the city of Arvada. The horses enjoy two large pastures, shelters, a round pen, and riding arena and endless attention and care from volunteers, veterinarians, and farriers.

HPL acquires horses in many different ways. Courts and humane societies send horses that have been taken away from abusive or neglectful situations. Owners surrender horses they can no longer care for.

It’s exciting to see the horses regain health and energy, and romp and play in the pastures. There’s an atmosphere of fun and cheerfulness at HPL. But not every day is easy. It’s horrifying to see an emaciated horse, staring death in the face, arrive at the ranch, but hope and optimism prevail at the Horse Protection League. The horses’ noble spirits do survive and volunteers have great pride in a mission accomplished.

Art for Horses details:
• Opening reception: Friday February 19, from 6:00-9:00pm, featuring award-winning western music by Bill Barwick and Friends, open to the public
• Art for Horses show is open to the public: 9am – 5pm, Monday thru Saturday, from Saturday, February 20 thru Saturday March 6, 2010
• At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design in the Rotunda Pavilion, 1600 Pierce Street, Denver, CO
• Free admission
• Art is available for purchase during show hours
• Call Vicki Christensen, 303.332.9344, with questions regarding the art show Horse Protection League.
• Located at historic Churches Ranch, 17999 West 60th Avenue, Golden, CO 80403
• Open volunteers days: Saturdays and Wednesdays from 9am – 2pm, everyone welcome
• Group visits are welcome, please call 303.216.0141 to make arrangements
• Children are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian
• www.cohpl.org
• 303.216.0141