The CAT Show

Feline inspired artworks by Arden Barnes and Shonda Judy

Boyd’s Station Gallery, 203 E. Pike Street, Cynthiana, KY 41031

October 12 - november 16, 2024

Opening Night Reception - saturday, october 12, 2024 | 5 - 8 pm

Boyd’s Station Gallery is proud to present The CAT Show, an exhibition featuring feline-inspired artworks and photography by Boyd’s Station Artist Guild members Arden Barnes and Shonda Judy. Both Harrison County natives, Barnes and Judy are excited to share their love for cats in this dual-artist exhibition.

Barnes and Judy’s work is on exhibition at the Boyd’s Station Gallery located at 203 E. Pike Street, Cynthiana, Kentucky from October 12 through November 16, 2024.

The opening reception for the The CAT Show will be hosted at Boyd’s Station Gallery on Saturday, October 12 from 5-8pm.

All events and gallery visits are always free and open to the public.

ABOUT ARDEN BARNES

Arden Barnes is a freelance photographer based in Kentucky. As a photographer rooted in the documentary and photojournalism traditions, her work has taken her from covering climate disasters, agriculture and daily life in her home in central Kentucky to southern Oregon where she covered multi-layered water and climate issues. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, NPR, and Sports Illustrated, as well as in various outlets throughout Kentucky.

In this collection of photography, Barnes turns the camera on her personal life and explores the multifaceted relationships between herself, her partner, and their two bi-color cats, Sprout and Domino. Through this ongoing project, she aims to capture the blend of companionship and co-habitation that defines their relationship. This work is inspired by other accounts of artists creating work about their beloved pets, including Georgia O'Keefe’s photographs of her chow-chows, as well as the contemporary phenomenon of pet Instagram and social media accounts. Barnes is drawn to the themes of love, companionship, humor, and the universal experience of being a cat owner that are prevalent throughout this project.

Barnes also enjoys hiking, spending time with her two cats (obviously), creating images with her grandfather’s old film camera and considers herself a very proud Kentuckian. More of her work can be found on her website, www.ardenbarnes.com.

ABOUT SHONDA JUDY

Shonda Judy, a 63-year-old artist and long-time resident of Cynthiana, Kentucky, has spent over two decades behind the camera as a photographer. In recent years, she discovered a new passion for painting, particularly inspired by her work with her nonprofit, Hope Fur Homes. This organization is dedicated to rescuing abandoned and abused pets from local shelters.

Shonda’s unique style, which she calls “Poptart Art,” began with a simple breakfast routine of drawing scribbles and turning them into playful images of cats and dogs. Each piece is named after a rescued pet, and a portion of her art sales directly supports the ongoing care and adoption of more animals in need.

Her creativity doesn’t stop with painting—Shonda is also known for crafting hooked rugs from recycled wool and transforming discarded items into beautiful treasures, much like the way she gives new life to the pets she helps rescue. Deeply rooted in faith, Shonda loves Jesus, cherishes life, and treasures moments spent with family and friends.