
Local celebrities, including famed diver Greg Louganis and noted artist Brad Howe, unite to support PAWS/LA at an evening event titled the Whisker A Go Go. Art will be auctioned to raise funds for the organization, which helps low-income and disabled people keep and care for their companion animals.
By Elizabeth Arnold / Special to The Malibu Times
When Malibu resident Greg Louganis first volunteered to do charity work for the Los Angeles nonprofit group Pets Are Wonderful Support, or PAWS, he was assigned to groom a client’s dog. When Louganis showed up at the client’s home, the client gasped and then quickly slammed the door. Louganis knocked again, and when the client reopened his door, his clothing had been changed and his hair combed-he was so excited and surprised to see the famous Olympic gold medalist at his door, he had rushed to tidy up.
Happy to use his fame to help people and good causes, Louganis is volunteering his time again for PAWS/LA, serving as a celebrity auctioneer for the event, Pet Art 8-An Evening at the Whisker A Go Go, its 8th annual gala reception and art auction fundraiser, taking place at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood this Sunday.
PAWS/LA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income seniors and people disabled by a life-threatening illness keep and care for their companion animals. PAWS/LA serves approximately 1,800 clients and their 2,400 companion animals. Due to the physical and financial burden faced by people living with medical disabilities, many pet owners might not be able to keep, feed and care for their pets without the help of PAWS/LA, which is the only nonprofit organization in the greater Los Angeles area that assumes this obligation. PAWS/LA is funded through private donations, grants and fundraising events such as the Whisker A Go Go.
The Avalon Theater on Sunday will be transformed into Club Whisker A Go Go, a 50s-style tiki bar inspired by hipster artist Shag (Josh Agle). Roma Maffia, star of FX’s “Nip/Tuck,” will serve as honorary chairman of the event, and Master of Ceremonies comedian Danny Williams will direct the evening’s festivities.
Louganis, a four-time Olympic gold medal diver and 21-year Malibu resident, has been a supporter of PAWS/LA since its inception in 1989. A devout animal lover, Louganis started out grooming the animals of terminally ill and disabled clients, and has helped out in many fundraising events over the years. After being out of the area for a while, he recently reinstated his volunteer status with PAWS/LA.
Louganis, who is involved with several organizations and also helps Malibu families find a good match in a pet, said PAWS/LA is very close to his heart because he strongly believes in the healing power of the unconditional love pets give to their ailing owners.
“I have been a supporter of PAWS/LA for so many years because they safeguard the pets of terminally ill and disabled people from being sent to shelters,” Louganis said. “It is a great feeling for a hospital patient to know that his beloved dog is waiting for him when he returns home.”
The fundraiser’s art auction will include more than 175 animal-inspired works of fine art and photography, including pieces by contemporary art icon Ed Ruscha, Shag, George Rodrique (Blue Dog) and Patrick McDonnell (Mutt Comics), along with more than 120 other artists.
Brad Howe, a Malibu-based artist and sculptor, will also contribute items to the auction.
Howe, whose work has been exhibited in 16 countries, is petitioned by charities and organizations frequently. He said he felt an immediate connection with PAWS/LA, and has donated artwork to their past fundraisers and auctions.
This year, Howe is donating an original kinetic sculpture, pulled from the body of art that he is currently working on.
The nine-year Malibu resident believes that artists have a responsibility to give back to their communities, and donates art to the Malibu school system. He recently gave an assembly to students at Juan Cabrillo Elementary, and Malibu area students take field trips to his studio every year.
“My art is created with the intent of emitting positive energy. I try to make optimistic artwork,” Howe explained. “PAWS/LA strives to lift the spirits of people, which resonates with my own objectives as an artist. We share in the same positive effort.”
In addition to the auction, the Whisker A Go Go event will also offer the Petpourri Flea Market, which will feature pet-friendly products, such as collars and grooming supplies, at flea market prices.
“This event is truly a labor of love,” said PAWS/LA Executive Director Pamela Magette. “It’s amazing to find that so many artists, from Picasso to Warhol, have integrated animal images into their art. I think that’s further testament to the importance of animal companions in society and in our individual lives. The beauty of pet art is that it really brings together the healing power of art and animals.”
The Whisker A Go Go will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, and tickets can be purchased at the door for $50 per person. More information can be obtained by contacting Pamela Magette at 323.464.7297, ext.113, or by email at pmagette@pawsla.org.