Around Town

Q&A: Carriage Barn Arts Center Plans ‘Art for Animals’ Exhibit

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The Carriage Barn Arts Center this summer is planning a community-wide exhibit of artwork and poetry celebrating the bonds between people and animals. “Art for Animals,” showcasing pieces that reflect people’s love for animals, will run June 2 to 14. Those seeking to exhibit animal-themed paintings, drawings, photography, digital art, sculpture or poetry may register here, for a $20 participation fee. All funds raised through the exhibit will go toward supporting the New Canaan Police Department’s K-9 program. (Sponsors already on board include Bankwell, PRAI Beauty, Stephanie Conti Photography, WAG Magazine, Boyd Law Group and Janaco.)

The exhibit is presented in partnership with Spencer’s Run, and representatives form the dog park will join the Carriage Barn Arts Center in hosting a kickoff event in Waveny from 2 to 4 p.m. on  June 2, with an online auction for a number of animal-themed artwork, items and experiences. 

We caught up with Carriage Barn Arts Center Executive Director Hilary Wittmann to get some more information on Art for Animals.

Animal 411

New Canaan Animal Control Officer Creates ‘Coyote Safety Kits’ for Residents

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Since starting as head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section nearly two years ago, Officer Allyson Halm has fielded and mapped daily calls of coyote sightings. In one-on-one conversations with concerned New Canaanites and as a panelist in larger events, Halm has preached about learning to co-exist with coyotes. Now, in select cases, she can offer those who deal regularly with coyotes on their properties a set of tools to take with them outside—for example, when letting out a dog in the yard. Underwritten by New Canaan resident and animal welfare advocate Cathy Kangas and her company, PRAI Beauty, the “Coyote Safety Kits” Halm has put together include “hazing” safety guidelines, reusable safety air blaster or air horn, mini-air blasters (for use while running or for kids), bear bell, whistle, reflective tape and “throw can” (a noisemaker that can be used to scare off coyotes from a distance). “They are available now and we are going to utilize them on a case-by-case basis” depending on the frequency of sightings and brazenness of the coyotes involved, Halm told NewCanaanite.com.