During our recent visit to Chicago, Cecile and I spent the last two days at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in the Magnificent Mile’s vibrant downtown commercial district. Everytime we went out for a walk around the neighborhood I found myself mesmerized by a colorful sculpture depicting a police dog in front of the Hotel EMC2, a few doors down.
Later I discovered that The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and the PAWS organization (a national model for animal sheltering) partnered up to create a public art installation of fiberglass sculptures depicting police dogs 54 inches in height. Artists were commissioned to decorate and embellish the dogs in imaginative ways.
The one shown here with me at its side was one of three dog sculptures created by artist, Ken Klopack that was sponsored by Hotel EMC2. According to his website, "his art was inspired by the thematic designs of the hotel interior, which promotes the creative spirit of the arts and sciences."
Ken Klopack earned a Master’s Degree in art education at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU).
He was an art teacher in the Chicago Public School system from 1971-2005. He earned a Master’s Degree in art education at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU).
Over the last 45 years this award winning teacher has been active in the Chicago art scene such as the Gold Coast Art Fair and the Hyde Park Art Fair, and is the author of “Show Off Your Art.” I was very impressed with his body of work. Shortly after we returned from the Windy City, I came across this untitled poem which I decided to call:
Ode to the K9s
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”
—Author unknown
https://www.chicagok9s.com/sponsor-a-k9/
http://www.kenklopackart.com/news1.html
