The people of St. Helens may be asking who let the dogs out?
Approximately 30 artistic plywood cutout dogs recently appeared in the Plaza in front of the Columbia County Courthouse in St Helens. The St. Helens Economic Development Corporation (SHEDCO), a volunteer organization, is displaying 30 artistic cutout dog sculptures along St. Helens’ historic commercial streets during the summer of 2016.
The dogs are currently on display at the courthouse plaza, they will be displayed there for about a week before they are distributed throughout St Helens. Local artists and business owners painted dogs of Dog Walk. The Dog Walk project means to transform otherwise ordinary sidewalks into an interesting place for the community to visit and gather. The project encourages people to walk and use public space as well as to realize local talents and connect with local businesses.
The Dog Walk Project is partially supported by a grant from the Columbia County Cultural Coalition. SHEDCO modeled Dog Walk after the Cow Parade. The Cow Parade is the largest and most successful public art event in the world. The first cow parade exhibit was in Chicago in 1999 and came to Portland in 2002. Visit www.cowparade.com to read more about the project, the 2015‐16 Cow Parade is in Paris.
Businesses can sponsor the dogs to be displayed in front of their businesses by calling the SHEDCO main street coordinator, Anya Mocha at 503‐366‐8232, or Al Petersenat 503‐366‐3050.
Originally Published in The St. Helens Chronicle
1805 S. Columbia Blvd.
St. Helens, OR 97051
Phone: 503-397-0116