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Cats are on the prowl ... again

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — The cats have been unleashed!

When strolling down Main Street it’s hard not to notice the decadent fiberglass felines perched ever so proudly on their steel pedestals, signaling that the “Cat’n Around Catskill” celebration has officially begun.

With 25 of the 62 cats installed Monday, streetwalkers are already picking favorites.

“So far, I think the cop one is pretty cool,” said Susan Perez, in reference to the statue outside the Catskill Police Department, complete with handcuffs, parking tickets and a cell phone, aptly named “COPurr” and designed by artist Kenny Rich.

The Heart of Catskill Association (HOCA) began the project last year with 50 cats, now the “litter” has increased to 62. Each features a unique design conceptualized by the artist and sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

The summer-long exposition will culminate with the second annual Cat’s Meow Auction and Gala on September 21 at Catskill Point, where the creative kitties will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

“We have quite a few really unusual ones,” said Linda Overbaugh, executive director of HOCA. “What amazed me, when the designs started coming in, was how different they were from last year.”

Pouncing their way down each side of Main Street to West Bridge Street in the heart of the village, the new designs are meant to tantalize and excite passersby throughout the summer season.

Expect to cross paths with “Pussy Willow,” “Copurrnicus,” “Catson Pollock,” “Aero Cat,” and “Disco Cat” when making your way through the village.

Keep a close eye on your booty near the corner of Church and Main streets, as a swash-buckling pirate puss complete with hook, eyepatch and scimitar waits for the chance to pounce. Or start your own catnip crop with a feline farmer fully equipped with a rake, trowel and straw hat, sitting near the corner of Union and Main streets.

“They’re very unique and they’re all very bright,” Overbaugh said, “I love them all.”

The cats had been under development for months prior to their debut, and sponsors were given the difficult task of choosing their designs on Feb. 3, when a meeting of the minds brought the artists and the sponsors together.

Out of more than 90 design submissions and 50 sponsors, the challenge of picking only 62 finalists was arduously done. The role of production was then handed over to the artists to create their works. After the designs were chosen, it took nearly two months for the final products to be completed.

Hopefully, all the cats will be installed and ready for presentation by week’s end, so be sure to say hello to HOCA board member Gary Kistinger and the crew as they let the festive felines loose.

A guide and map will be made available at the HOCA Chamber of Commerce at 327 Main Street, complete with locations, titles and artist and sponsor information.

Friendly com-PET-ition

In response to the success of last year’s “Cat’n Around Catskill,” some village residents believe that Hudson’s first annual “Best in Show” artistic dog display — starting July 4th — is an imitation of the “Cat’n Around” concept. Some might even call them copycats.

The Columbia County Council on the Arts is hosting the event and will feature 60 dogs to line the streets of Hudson’s business district.

Similar to the cats, artists will provide unique designs for the sponsors to choose from and they will be displayed on Warren Street. A map and guide will also be made available.

The dogs will be on display into the fall and will also be auctioned off at the “Best in Show Auction and Gala” during ArtsWalk 2008 slated for Oct. 12.

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