SHAMROCK PET FOUNDATION HOSTS 17TH ANNUAL ART FOR THE ANIMALS THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

Louisville, KY - The Shamrock Pet Foundation celebrates more than 20 years of helping animals with the 17th annual Art for the Animals (AFTA). The event is scheduled for Thursday, August 1 from 6-9 p.m., at the Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Avenue.

The live and silent auction at the event, showcase original artwork from dozens of well-known regional and national artists, as well as food and music. A partial listing of the artists includes Rodney Hatfield, Janeen Barnhart and Kyle Bianconcini. The event is a juried. This year's jury included Chuck Swanson, Swanson Contemporary Gallery; Wayne Ferguson, artist and gallery owner; Janet Linde, fibre artist; Mary Yates, illustrator; and Susie Dezarn, artist.

Tickets are $75 per person. Visit www.shamrockpets.com/afta for more information or to purchase tickets. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged.

Spearheaded by Molly Malones, Chef Carla Gresham and a staff of volunteers, the event features food from some of Louisville's most popular restaurants, including Molly Malone's, Clifton's Pizza, BBC Downtown, Blue Dog Bakery and Red Hot Roasters. Beer and wine will be served and bourbon tastings will be provided by Four Roses Bourbon.

Sarah Stivers and her band will provide the musical entertainment. Stivers performs interpretations of modern standards by composers and singers such as Burt Bacharach, Roberta Flack and Herb Alpert.

Event sponsors include Feeder's Supply, Four Roses Bourbon, LG&E KKU and Molly Malone's.

There will also be pets available for adoption.

All proceeds benefit the Shamrock Pet Foundation, a non-profit organization created to end pet overpopulation through spay/neuter services, education, emergency medical assistance, foster care, and the adoption of pets into loving lifetime homes. The organization is comprised entirely of committed, unpaid volunteers.