And if you like cat art and want to help actual cats, then the Love Cats Silent Art Auction at the Local Artisan Collective is just the “o-purr-tunity” for you.

The event, which is being organized by Jennifer VanDyke and Steve Stones, will feature various pieces of cat art by local artists up for auction. Proceeds will benefit the artists themselves as well as Whiskers Utah. The event will be held March 13 from 6-9 p.m. and March 14, from noon-6 p.m.

VanDyke said the auction came about because they saw a need in the community.

“Artists do want to give in a meaningful way, but not a lot of them can financially afford to do so,” she said. “That’s why we’re doing the Love Cats Silent Art Auction — so they can donate their skills to the auction and then people who love the art can donate to the artists who are doing the work and Whiskers.”

Image supplied, Jennifer VanDyke

She said this is the first of what she hopes will be many more auctions to benefit rescue cats.

“I want to do it twice per year for the cats at Whiskers because they’re vulnerable and they need funding and it’s just a good match,” she said.

She said around 20-30 artists have contributed pieces of art to the auction and that while some artists may opt to take a small percentage of the proceeds from the sale of their individual work to recoup costs, the majority of proceeds will go to Whiskers Rescue.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for these wonderful people that have stepped forward for these animals,” she said. “They’re giving to the community in a meaningful way.”

VanDyke said she has also made “swag bags” of buttons, sketchbooks and other small cat-related items for the artists who contribute.

Image supplied, Jennifer VanDyke

Stones, who is an adjunct professor of art at Weber State University, isn’t just helping organize the event — he’s also contributed two pieces of artwork as well.

“This is our passion project,” he said. “(VanDyke) and I are really passionate about cats. We want to help in any way to keep the cats sheltered and keep them fed. … Making the paintings for this event was a lot of fun. It doesn’t really feel like work to me because it’s something that I want to do. The two paintings that I’ve contributed, they both deal with cats, and it was something very fun for me to do because this is something that we’re passionate about.”

He has opted to give 100% of the proceeds from his pieces to Whiskers.

Whiskers Rescue representative Jessica Vigos told the Standard Examiner that Whiskers does a lot for area cats.

“Whiskers is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and advocating for some of the most fragile and overlooked cats in our community — seniors, special needs, and those requiring more serious medical care,” she said. “Every life we take in represents commitment, compassion and the belief that even the most vulnerable deserve safety and love.”

Image supplied, Jennifer VanDyke

She also had a special message for the organizers of the Love Cats Silent Art Auction.

“We are incredibly grateful to the talented local artists who have come together to support this mission,” she said. “Your creativity is not only beautiful, it is life-changing. Because of you, critical medical care, safe shelter, and second chances become possible for cats who otherwise might not have one. Thank you for using your gifts to help protect theirs.”

VanDyke said that the community support has been outstanding.

“I’m so grateful for the response from the community,” she said. “The artists have come forward and have created something out of their hearts for the community, for the cats, for vulnerable animals that are in need and don’t have anybody. Part of (Whiskers’) mission is to trap, neuter or trap, neuter and re-home. They just want to help the cats, I want to help the cats and it just works.”

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1603899150966805/.