Art and animal adoption came together Saturday, April 25, as HACkS, the Huntington Art Collective and Studios, hosted its third annual Cat Art Show and Adoption Event, bringing local artists, attendees and adoptable cats together for an afternoon of feline fun and fundraising.
Organizers said the goal of the event was to create a setting where people could interact directly with animals while supporting both local artists and the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter.
“When one of our members was fostering cats and needed help getting them adopted, we created an event where people could interact with them one-on-one and build a connection,” HACkS artist Sarah Fox said. “That makes them more likely to adopt while also helping raise money for the shelter.”
Held inside the West Virginia Building on Fourth Avenue, the event spanned multiple floors with artwork and adoptable cats on the fifth floor while refreshments and free cat toys were available in the HACkS studio space on the sixth.
The event featured work by local artists, a raffle benefiting the shelter and four cats available for adoption, giving attendees a chance to engage with both art and animals in a more personal setting.
HACkS member Zane Pinson said all raffle proceeds went directly to the shelter, with additional donations collected through supplies and direct contributions.
“We have a whole list of supplies that the shelter accepts: cat litter, cat food, cleaning supplies,” Pinson said. “That is something we also wanted to help collect for them.”
He added the adoption process was designed to be accessible, with attendees able to apply in person or online, often via QR codes at the event.
On the fifth floor, visitors moved through the gallery space while interacting with cats from the shelter, including Miles, Fanda, Pushup and Brighton. Some cats rested in designated areas while others, like Miles, wandered freely among guests.
Miles, described by organizers as “the scraggly old guy who is very cuddly,” moved easily between visitors. Nearby, Fanda lounged atop a cat tree as people gathered around while Pushup spent much of the event curled up asleep. Brighton remained in a quieter space after becoming overwhelmed, with organizers encouraging visitors to respect the animals’ boundaries.
The layout of the space allowed attendees to move between artwork and animals at their own pace, creating an environment that balanced activity with calm interaction.
For Marissa Mynes, Marshall art student from Hurricane, the combination created a unique and meaningful experience.
“I think it is a really good way to get visibility for both,” Mynes said. “People are attracted to cats. They will come see the cats and then see the art or vice versa.”
Attendees also noted the environment allowed the animals to remain comfortable while still engaging with visitors.
“I think it’s really nice for the cats. They’ve got a lot of things to do in here, and everybody seems to like them a lot,” said Jeffrey Chaffin, who attended the event with Mynes.
“There is plenty of space for the cats. If they do not want to be touched, you leave them alone,” Mynes said.
Artwork throughout the gallery reflected a wide range of feline-themed styles and media, including paintings, prints, ceramics and mixed media.
Fox pointed to several standout pieces, including a large-scale painting of an orange cat surrounded by dandelions by Lindsay Emmett and a portrait of two cats set against a pink background by Abby Maisel, both local artists.
Attendees also pointed to their favorite pieces.
“The one with the cat that looks like it’s mid-play – the one with the orange background – that’s my favorite,” Mynes said.
Fox said turnout remained steady throughout the day, with visitors coming and going to avoid overcrowding.
“We did not want it to be super overwhelming in this space,” she said, “but we have had a good turnout and a good amount of sales, too.”
In addition to supporting adoption efforts, the event provided an opportunity for local artists to showcase their work while contributing to a cause.
Pinson said HACkS regularly hosts community events and encourages people to stay connected through social media.
“The best way to check out the collective is to follow our Instagram @hacksofwv,” he said.
For Fox, the event represents both creative expression and community support, particularly as shelters continue to face financial challenges.
“I know that they need that extra love,” she said, “so we are really trying to help them out.”
Organizers said they plan to continue the event in future years, building on its success and expanding opportunities for both artists and animals.
“I think it is a fun one every year,” Fox said. “People get really excited about making art about cats.”
David Lozano can be contacted at [email protected].
