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Painted pooches headed to Antioch this summer

They won't bark, bite or beg. They'll just sit and look pretty.

At least 30 brightly painted and creatively decorated fiberglass dogs will be on display in Antioch this summer.

The community art program, Dogs on the Chain (of Lakes) is under way. In the tradition of Chicago's Cows on Parade, the painted dogs will be on display downtown this summer. This is the first public art project in the village.

"This is the kind of event that puts a smile on your face," said Antioch Chamber of Commerce Director Barbara Porch. "It's fun for the community and gives merchants a chance to showcase their businesses."

Porch said she's always been a fan of community art projects and has been trying to rally business owners to the idea.

"I've been talking to people for six years about this," she said. "And now it's going to happen. It's an art form that's friendly and economical."

You won't see the painted pooches until summer, but the Chamber is seeking dog sponsors and artists. Porch said the Chamber will retain artistic control to ensure quality. Sponsors will work with artists on concept and design.

"We are recruiting both professional and amateur artists," she said. "The artists can be individuals or it could even a class project for students."

Porch said there was some debate on what sculpture to choose. "It could have been bears, cats, fish, or even five-foot-tall cowboys," she said. "We almost went with fish, since the Chain-of-Lakes is such an important thing in our county, but they were pretty ugly. They were bass standing on their tails."

Sponsors will pay $500 for the life-size fiberglass dogs. Knowing times are tough, Porch said, sponsors can spread out the cost and make four payments. The artist receives $50 of that for material costs.

After a summer of display, the dogs will be sold at auction this fall. The money will benefit the Open Arms Mission, Save-A-Pet, and Antioch Community High School's scholarship program.

"This is a win-win for everyone involved," Porch said.

Detailed information for potential artists and sponsors can be found at antiochchamber.org.

The event will also raise funds for the Open Arms Mission, Save-A-Pet, and scholarship programs at Antioch Community High School. Courtesy of Altered Tails