Dogs and Cats: The Headley Whitney Museum’s Fall Art Exhibition is a Must See

At the Headley Whitney Museum, the never-ending question of “dogs or cats?” is on full display, though there’s no need to choose. Open Fridays-Sundays until November 24th, with an extra weekend November 30th and December 1st, DOGS & CATS: An Exhibition works to create an accessible art world through more than 120 mixed media works including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and antique dog collars. As you enter the museum, two 10-foot topiary sculptures of George Headley’s pet dachshund, Ernie, and pet cat, Kitty White Sox, greet you on the front lawn.

Curator Christina Bell works often to incorporate and celebrate local Kentuckians in her exhibitions, bringing in over thirty different notable artists and their stories. “Many of the paintings share through curatorial notes stories about that pet or how the artist came to create the piece for the owner who loved their pet,” says Bell. Artists like Ellen Skidmore and her illustrations from her new book How Dogs Make Me Feel fill the galleries with their love of pets.

Artist Ellen Skidmore during a book signing at the Headley Whitney for her alphabet book “How Dogs Make Me Feel,” available in the museum’s giftshop.

An especially exciting part of the exhibition is the addition of 25 works from Jamie Wyeth’s personal collection from his book Dog Days. If you’re familiar, you may recognize the Wyeth name; Jamie’s father, Andrew Wyeth, and grandfather, N.C. Wyeth are known for their famous paintings and illustrations. Jamie’s path in the art world is definitely his own, however, painting presidential portraits and Christmas cards at only 21 years old, with a painting of Andy Warhol and his dachshund, Archie, displayed in this exhibition along side many of his other works. 

On loan from the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) in Middleburg, VA, is a collection of vintage and antique dog collars. This collection takes you through the 16th to the 20th century of over 50 Dutch, British, French, German, Indian, and American collars. Titled “Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar,” the gallery takes you through the evolution of the style, history, and purpose of the dog collar, being the favorite of many of those who have visited the exhibition. 

Transylvania art professor Kurt Gohde and son Mason view the National Sporting Library & Museum’s loaned historical dog collar collection.

Set in the heart of the Bluegrass and a quintessential Kentucky scenic drive just ten minutes out Old Frankfort Pike, the Headley Whitney Museum, named after its founder, George W. Headley III, and benefactors, Cornelius Vanderbuilt Whitney and Marylou Whitney, offers a fascinating permanent collection and exhibits the works of notable Kentucky artists as well as presenting regional and international art exhibitions. Four Exhibition Galleries, the Bibelot and Jewel Room featuring Headley’s designs, Whitney Estate Dollhouses, Headley’s Shell Grotto, and the Marylou Whitney Garden create a unique art and cultural experience. Admission is only $10, though students with their student IDs are complimentary.

Below is listed the museum’s upcoming events, including one with Transy’s own Dr. Ellen Furlong! 

Information from Director and Curator Christina Bell