The University of Kentucky (UK) Art Museum will showcase "Art and the Animal," a diverse collection of artwork that highlights animals from around the world, from Feb. 3 to April 28. Several pieces include equines.

An exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists (SAA), "Art and the Animal" portrays both domestic and wild animals in their natural habitat; some might be sleeping while others are in extreme motion. SAA members sent in artwork that was then selected by a jury to be included in the exhibit. The artists combine the beauty of the animals and fine art in numerous ways to display the importance of animals in our lives.

This exhibition includes 70 paintings, sculptures, watercolors, and drawings from all over the United States and tells a story about the animal kingdom. Visitors will have the chance to see a bronze sculpture of a weary lioness, a pastel of a blue jay, and an oil painting portraying a wet kiss between two otters, to name a few. In addition, 10 works of art featuring horses have been added exclusively for the exhibit’s stop in the Bluegrass.

"Our hope is that since animals are something a majority of people are interested in, hopefully they can appreciate the art more and enjoy these incredible animals," said Deborah Borrowdale-Cox, education director for the UK Art Museum. "When art is a subject you understand, it has a stronger voice