Artist Reception for the Shelter Art Exhibition at Art on Main
On Saturday, June 21, I had the pleasure of attending the Artist Reception for the Shelter: A Sense of Place Exhibition at Art on Main.
This special exhibition caught my eye when I learned that the theme was about “shelter.” There are so many amazing artworks in the show, each sharing a different interpretation of what shelter means—expressed through various mediums and perspectives. It’s truly an honor to be part of this meaningful exhibition.
I signed up for the open mic to share about my artworks and Sadie:
Hello everyone, Thank you so much for being here tonight. My name is YiFang — I’m originally from Taiwan and moved to America about six years ago. This is my first time speaking at an open mic as an artist, and I’m honored to be here with you all. English is my second language, so I prepared notes — just to make sure I share this clearly without messing up the grammar or choosing the wrong words.
I’m very grateful to have three of my shelter dog portraits included in this event. They’re dogs I met at Dallas Animal Services, where I started volunteering last summer. I began painting these dogs to help bring more attention to them — and hopefully, help them find their forever homes a little faster. Thank you to Art on Main, Andrea, and curators Junanne and Ariel for creating this space and giving artists like me a chance to tell these stories.
One of the dogs I painted is Sadie, and she’s actually here tonight with her volunteer friend Madeline. Sadie is still waiting for a loving home. She’s great in the car, walks calmly on a leash, doesn’t bark at other dogs, and absolutely loves attention and treats — which makes her very trainable. Sadie and Madeline will be heading home shortly, so please say hi to them if you haven’t already. Madeline would be happy to share more about Sadie’s personality and story. If you can’t adopt right now, there are still many ways to help: You can foster, volunteer, or donate things like towels and treats — anything that makes life better for the animals while they wait. Please help us spread the word about Sadie and other amazing shelter pets.
Before I finish, I want to share my artist statement for the Shelter: A Sense of Place exhibition:
“We don’t give them a home — it’s they who give us one.”
Animals and pets support us emotionally far more than we often realize. Through their unconditional love, they turn our houses into homes, filling the rooms — and our hearts — with warmth and meaning. For the animals currently living in shelters, finding a home means more than just safety; it’s a new chance to love humans. And perhaps, in the end, we are the ones who need that love the most.
As a thank-you for your support, I’m doing a giveaway:
If you take a photo of my artwork, follow and tag me on Instagram or Facebook @yifangstudio, you’ll be entered to win a custom pet portrait — one of my ways to show my appreciation for all of you — for supporting the artists and your support for shelter animals.
And a big thank-you to my family, friends, and my boyfriend for being here tonight — your support truly means the world to me. I’m very happy to be here tonight — as a proud Taiwanese, a new U.S. citizen, a happy volunteer, and a passionate artist with a mission.
Thank you for listening, and I hope everyone has a wonderful time tonight.
Shoutout to Art on Main, Dallas Animal Services, and volunteer Madeline
for making it possible for Sadie to be there with us that night. It was so special to see her meeting new friends and standing right next to her portrait at the reception. Sadie did such a wonderful job—just being her sweet self, without barking or getting too nervous in the crowd. I truly believe she won many people’s hearts that night.
Please share Sadie’s story, pictures and information with your family and friends. Here is her adoption page (A1246228) on Dallas Animal Services.
