Charlottesville will be going to the dogs this summer… and it’s all for a great cause.

Beginning July first, colorful, artist-designed dog statues will start popping up all over the Charlottesville area as part of Art Unleashed: Dogs on Display, a community-wide public art project benefiting Service Dogs of Virginia.

Local artists and businesses are teaming up to transform the city into a giant outdoor gallery. You’ll find these one-of-a-kind dog sculptures at shops, restaurants, and public spaces across town, each one uniquely painted and designed.

The idea is simple: explore the displays, take photos, share them with friends, and learn more about the incredible work Service Dogs of Virginia does training service dogs for people with disabilities. These dogs help provide independence, mobility assistance, and life-changing companionship to the people who receive them.

But the project is more than just public art.

Everything leads up to the Art Unleashed Auction happening Saturday night, October twenty-fourth at The CODE Building in Charlottesville. That’s the big finale celebration, where many of the statues will be auctioned off to supporters and collectors.

The event runs from five to eleven that evening, and every bid helps support the mission of Service Dogs of Virginia. Proceeds from the auction will go directly toward building the organization’s new training facility, which will allow them to double the number of service dogs they place each year.

So this summer, keep an eye out around Charlottesville for those colorful dog statues popping up around town. They’re part of Art Unleashed, a creative community project with a powerful purpose.

And if you want to learn more about the exhibit, or how you can support the mission of Service Dogs of Virginia, just search Art Unleashed Charlottesville online. 🐾