Springdale, AR — CACHE today announces the installation of three artworks at Best Friends Pet Resource Center, by Northwest Arkansas artists. The three works are Love Chemical by Paul Siebenthal and Alex Cogbill, Moonlit Merriment in the Meadow by McKenna Hussey, and Tribal Dogs by artist Victoria McKinney. CACHE served as curator for this project, overseeing the artist selection, fabrication, and installation of the work.
Love Chemical is a tactile-safe, outdoor sculpture that features a series of curved layered panels allowing viewers to be surrounded, seemingly embraced, when in the middle of work.
“The essence of affection and the bond we share with our pets are beautifully encapsulated in this artwork,” said the artists. “The sculpture is a testament to the power of love and embraces. Comprising a series of elegantly curved panels, it envelops viewers, allowing them to feel embraced and surrounded…”.
In November 2024, the second work, Moonlit Merriment in the Meadow by McKenna Hussey, was installed in the Best Friends Pet Resource Center Catio. Through 159 sq. ft. of ceramic tile, Hussey allows viewers to see the world through the eyes of a cat.
“To be a cat is to spend most of the day asleep in preparation for what transpires when the sun goes down,” said the artist.
Stair-stepping sections of tile—emphasizing a cat’s natural instinct to climb—tell the story of a midnight garden party, far beyond the watch of humans, whose guests include other wildlife, such as frogs, birds, insects, and mice.
“Birds attend this swinging spectacle from the tree tops and cats of all kinds are invited to dance and indulge in a feast of fish,” she said. “A story of midnight mischief unfolds against the backdrop of this outdoor habitat”.
The final artwork, artist Victoria McKinney’s Tribal Dogs, is a 66 sq. ft. mural featuring tribal dogs and other animals inspired by Mound Builder motifs.
Opened in 2023, the Best Friends Pet Resource Center (PRC) is a community destination offering resources, services, and events for both pets and people. At the PRC, community members can adopt a new best friend, find a pet to foster, gain access to resources needed for their own pets, and much more.
“When we opened the Pet Resource Center, our goal was to break the mold of traditional animal shelters and create a space where people would want to spend their time, whether that means adopting a pet or enjoying a coffee from Third Space while checking out local art,” said Michelle Logan, Executive Director, Best Friends Pet Resource Center. “We’re grateful to partner with CACHE to bring these new installations to our space, giving both community members and visitors yet another reason to visit us and become a part of pet lifesaving.”
“CACHE is proud to champion regional artists and the thoughtful and prominent inclusion of their ideas, perspectives, and work in public spaces across Northwest Arkansas,” said Kelsey Howard, CACHE Managing Director. “As our region grows and changes, we hope to see more projects like this one.”
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About Paul Siebenthal:
Paul Siebenthal grew up on the central coast of California. His grandfather and uncles were all union pipe fitter-welders, and welding was a part of his family identity. Paul has an MFA in Sculpture from Notre Dame (2004) and a BFA in Metalsmithing and Blacksmithing from SIU-C (2000). Paul also worked in blacksmith shops in both Austria and Germany for several years. Paul's sculptural work currently deals with aspects of our natural world which tend to go unnoticed because of scale or context, but which are formally beautiful, and tends to gravitate toward microorganisms and minerals. His work is both large scale public pieces, as well as lots of gallery scale work. Paul works in fabricated and forged metals, and enjoys producing both functional and sculptural metalwork. He identifies with the craft of blacksmithing and associates mostly with that fine crafts community, and enjoys being between the worlds of contemporary art and fine craft.
About Alex Cogbill:
Alex Cogbill lives and works as an artist in Fayetteville, AR with his wife, Camille, and their son and daughter, Leo and Flora. He earned a BFA in Art Education from the University of Arkansas in 2011 and is the owner, instructor, curator, and fabricator of Local Color Studio Gallery for the past 8 years and running. As a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, his artwork is inspired by the universally accessible concepts of geometry, perception, and the turmoil and triumphs of relationships. Since working with Siebenthal, the idea of working with natural things that surround us but go unseen has been prevalent in their designs.
As collaborators, Alex and Paul have done such pieces as Bauxite, Halite, Quartzite on the Greg Smith River Trail in Fort Smith, Mantises at the Balla Vista Public Library, and are currently completing a piece at the Kessler Mountain Trailhead in Fayetteville.
About McKenna Hussey:
McKenna Hussey was born and in Northwest Arkansas and has always enjoyed the rich and scenic history our neck of the woods has to offer. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2020 with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree focused in Ceramics and Photography.
About Victoria McKinney
Victoria McKinney specializes in pottery and paintings that incorporate the graphic designs of the Mound Builders of the Woodlands and Mississippian Period reaching back five thousand years into the past. Her art career began after taking a class at the University of Arkansas on “The Indians of Arkansas.” The motifs and designs of the Mound Builders inspired her to quit her job at the univertisty and became an artist full time. Her artistic efforts educate the public and other artists on the ancient history of the origins of the modern Native American tribes in the eastern portion of what is now the United States. Victoria is a member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama.
About CACHE:
CACHE was formed in 2019 to act as the central regional agency committed to connecting, supporting, and developing the region’s arts, culture, and creative communities. CACHE brings a cohesive vision and strategy to the region’s organic creative activities, uplifting local artists, the nonprofit sector, municipal leadership, creative industries, and arts philanthropy and investments. CACHE programs include The Medium, Arts and Economic Prosperity 6, Table Talks, Year of Learning & Outreach (YOLO), the Creative Exchange Fund, and the Artists Creative Fund. Learn more at cachecreate.org.
About Best Friends Animal Society & the Pet Resource Center:
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill in 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to 415,000 last year. Best Friends has operations in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Salt Lake City, and Bentonville and runs the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country in partnership with more than 4,900 animal welfare groups and shelters and is working collaboratively with community members nationwide to Save Them All®. For more information about Best Friends, visit bestfriends.org.
The Best Friends Pet Resource Center is located at 1312 Melissa Drive in Bentonville, AR and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. To learn more about the Pet Resource Center and upcoming events, please visit https://bestfriends.org/nwa.