One is a sanctuary for lost and abandoned pets while the other is an outlet for artists with developmental disabilities—combined two Athens nonprofits have teamed up for a collaborative cause.
The Safari Art Exhibition, opening Saturday, will feature animal-inspired artwork by Passion Works artists to benefit both their studio and the Athens County Humane Society.
The alliance started from one volunteer’s idea to create and sell pet beds to raise money for the group’s spay and neuter program. For 35 years, Athens resident Patricia Mickunas has been collecting vintage suitcases. Just recently, she decided to turn her collection over to charity and pitched the pet bed project to the Humane Society.
The group then asked Passion Works Studio to lend a touch of their artistic talents to the pet beds, and now the new collection is underway.
“It seemed like a natural extension, like a natural alliance of the heart, to incorporate the work of both,” Mickunas said. “This is just the first project between them. I think all of us are hoping to keep it going in the future.”
Passion Works, an ATCO partnership that employs about 35 artists with and without developmental disabilities, has been selling their one-of-a-kind paintings and ornaments for almost 15 years. Naturally, the group, now an icon of Athens County, extended the pet bed project to a full exhibit, including safari-inspired paintings and sculptures in addition to the for-sale beds.
“Nonprofits traditionally try to collaborate with each other ... (how often) we do it is a sign of Athens’ tight-knit community,” said Wayne Savage, Passion Works Studio coordinator.
In fact, Passion Works will also be collaborating with Hillel for another exhibit on Safari’s opening day. The studio has collaborated with the Athens Foundation and offers partnerships through a greeting card fundraiser.
“Nonprofits in Athens are not in competition with each other, so any time we can collaborate together, it’s a great thing,” said Shelley Lieberman, vice president of the Athens County Humane Society.
Not only does the Humane Society involve other animal-based organizations such as Friends of the Shelter Dogs and the Disaster Animal Response Team, they also often work with My Sister’s Place and the Women’s Center to pair up women with displaced dogs.
“We definitely cross-promote each other’s events here, which I don’t think is typical in other places,” Lieberman said.
Though nonprofit partnerships aren’t uncommon, collaborations are particularly frequent in Athens, representing the high number of charity organizations — approximately 261, including university nonprofits — within the county.
“In this day and age, nonprofits are struggling for survival, so anything they can get is needed,” Savage said. “It’s important for us to always be active in the community and we all need for people to be aware of us so that they can support our causes.”
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