These are the inaugural class of the "Rendezvous of Rondy Dogs," a fundraiser along the lines of the summertime "Wild Salmon on Parade" pieces, combining artistic imagination and Alaska's favorite canine in a series of life-size statues. Each is a bona-fide one-of-a-kind.
Keep your eyes open, and you may catch Rebecca Voris' winged "Flyin' Fur." Or Thomas Nealeigh's hippy-themed "Sled 'Dead' Dog." Beverly Stevens outfitted her mutt with tennis shoes, sports bra, sunglasses and earphones -- along with one foot in a cast and a crutch tucked under the front arm -- for "You Can't Keep a Good Dog Down." Joni Hamari gilded "Great Alaskan Gold Rush" from tongue to tail; it's fittingly on display at The Alaska Mint at this moment.
Artists picked up their molds -- all based on the Jacques and Mary Regat race dog sculpture at Fourth Avenue and D Street -- in December. In January the finished hounds were set up around town at various sponsor locations, where they remain for the next two weeks.
When the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous starts on Feb. 26, they'll all come together at the Egan Convention Center, where they can be seen as a group during Rondy. On March 6, they'll be auctioned at the Miner's and Trapper's Charity Ball with proceeds going to help fund events at next year's Fur Rendezvous.
Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.
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