by Deb Alter
Three local rescue groups teamed up with Capital District artists, including several in Mr. Rob Viera’s advanced art class at Hoosick Falls High School. Six young artists from HF, along with many others, including professionals, created and donated portraits of some of the rescued dogs and cats based on the little intricacies and personalities of each one. The portraits went on exhibition at the Hudson River Coffee House in Albany on May 1. They will be used by the rescue groups in fundraising activities to help support the animals and find them good homes. Some of the portraits will go home with the newly adopted pets. Ms. Michelene Wilson, another high school teacher, who works with the animal rescue groups, helped coordinate the project. The three rescue groups involved with the project are The Animal Support Project (TASP), 11th Hour Rescue, and Rensselaer County Humane Society. TASP, which the Hoosick student artists worked most closely with, was created to help reduce animal shelter populations by proactively supporting animals and owners through tough times, a kind of crisis intervention group.
