Artist Guidelines

Boonton Arts invites you to become a part of an exciting public art project. Dog Days of Summer is a unique opportunity for artists to use their talents for the benefit of the community, animals in need, and the arts. Sponsors supply the dog or cat and you provide the idea, transforming a blank dog or cat form into a work of art. The finished sculptures will grace the town of Boonton from May through September 2019 and will be available for adoption at Boonton Arts’ Etsy store. 

This call to artists is open to artists of any level. All approved submissions will be available for sponsorship at the Dog Days of Summer Sponsorship Reception taking place February 6th from 6-8 at Speakeasy Art Gallery. Following the sponsorship reception, the Dog Days of Summer committee then narrow down the submissions that will we will continue to seek sponsorship for on Etsy. Submitting a design for this project does not guarantee that you will get to participate in making a 3D sculpture, your design must be sponsored first. Boonton Arts will do our best to get your design sponsored, but seeking sponsorship on your own is certainly encouraged.

– Download the appropriate Artist’s Packet here:
–2019 Dog Days of Summer Adult Artist Packet
–2019 Dog Days of Summer Student Artist Packet

– Then Click here to register and upload your design(s) and paperwork when ready. Completed original designs can also be mailed to Boonton Arts (mail flat, do not fold), 816 Main Street Boonton, NJ 07005 but the online registration form must still be completed. Registrations and designs must be received by February 9, 2019.

Artists also have the opportunity to create a dog or cat from scratch, rather than using a blank fiberglass dog or cat. The submission process for the DIY dogs or cats would be the same as for the fiberglass dogs or cats. A concept drawing or photos of the finished dog or cat and a proposal would need approval from Boonton Arts. DIY design proposals and examples are due no later than February 9, 2019. DIY Artists need to also fill our the artist and copyright agreements in the 2019 Dog Days of Summer Adult Artist Packet or 2019 Dog Days of Summer Student Artist Packet then upload them along with your designs to the online registration form.

When the dogs and cats are completed and unveiled on May 3rd, they will attract viewers from all over the county and beyond. For the duration of the summer, the dogs and cats are available at Boonton Art’s Etsy store for a donation benefiting the NorthStar Pet Rescue, Boonton Arts, local schools and artists. Any sculptures that are not purchased by the end of the summer are then auctioned at the Boonton Arts Dog Days of Summer Art Auction & Closing Reception in October. One-third of the donation for adopted dogs will be paid to the artist. In the case of student designs, one-third of the donation for adopted dogs will go to the school that they attend. 

Timeline of Events February 9, 2019 – Artist Concept Drawing and Registration Due

February 13, 2019 – Sponsor Party & Artist’s Reception

February 15, 2019 – Finalists Announced and Distribution of Blank Forms

April 13, 2019 – Last Day for Dog/Cat Drop Off

May 3rd, 2019 – Dog Days of Summer 2019 Opening Reception

Checklist: