Animal Shelter Receives New Art to Help Pets Get New Homes for the Holidays
Burbank, CA (November 9, 2022) – The Burbank Cultural Arts Commission is proudly partnering with The Animation Guild, the City of Burbank and the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate the Guild’s 70th Anniversary with beautiful new murals at the Burbank Animal Shelter.
The murals are designed and painted by animators selected by The Animation Guild and will be unveiled to the public on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Press and invited guests will have the opportunity for a sneak peek of the murals at 9:30 a.m. In conjunction, the Burbank Animal Shelter will kick off a week of 50% off pet adoption fees between November 15-19, 2022.
“We’re excited that the Burbank Animal Shelter will be a more beautiful space thanks to the generosity of the Animation Guild,” says Kristen Smith, Parks and Recreation Deputy Director who has direct oversight of the shelter. “We hope that community members will come out to see the new artwork at the shelter and return home with the perfect pet.”
The Animation Guild is filled with artists who adore animals, and their artwork reflects that love while
offering a visible tribute to the Guild’s seven decades in Burbank. "In celebrating The Animation Guild’s 70th anniversary, we wanted to find a way to give back to the Burbank community that has been home to so much of our industry,” said Jackie Huang, Member Programs Coordinator at The Animation Guild. “We’re thrilled to be able to share our members' artistic talent in a way that will brighten up the shelter for staff, volunteers, visitors, and animal residents!"
The partnership with The Animation Guild is part of an ongoing series of collaborative efforts by the
Burbank Cultural Arts Commission’s beautification committee to add color and creativity to the
community. “We recently completed phase six of our electrical box painting project which partners the Commission with local artists, the Art in Public Places Committee, the Public Works Department, the Parks & Recreation Department, and several generous sponsors,” said Suzanne Weerts, Commissioner and Chair of the committee. “This opportunity to work with The Animation Guild and to see the Burbank Animal Shelter so beautifully transformed is exciting for us and we truly hope more pets find homes as a result.”
Below are brief bios on the mural artists who will have their work featured at the shelter:
John Anderson is a story artist working in feature animation. He would like to thank his dog “Buddy” for sitting and staying long enough to inspire this mural. Good boy!
Marissa Bernstel is a storyboard artist, craft maker, and animal enthusiast. With the support of her husband and her resident house-panther, Kiki, Marissa enjoys helping stray cats in the community by finding rescues or by performing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Marissa is always thrilled to combine her love of art and animals and feels honored to have her mural selected for the Burbank Animal Shelter!
Spencer Greenberg is a Retakes Animator at Warner Bros. He loves to cook, draw, and hang out with his sweet cat, Akko. Having adopted her when he first came to Los Angeles, this project was very close to his heart. And of course, he put her right in the mural! Check out @artsyspencerg on social media to look at the silly drawings he makes of Akko and all the other stuff he loves.
Arlyne Ramirez is a Los Angeles based Animator who has been working in the industry for 15 years. She is a storyboard artist and character layout artist on The Simpsons. During her free time, Arlyne likes to go on adventures with her friends, family, and fur babies.
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Website: www.burbankca.gov
About Burbank
Burbank is a diverse community of 106,800 residents. Billed as the “Media Capital of the World”, numerous media and entertainment companies are headquartered in Burbank including Warner Bros. Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Netflix Animation, and Cartoon Network Studios. With the Hollywood Burbank Airport located within the City, Burbank is a go to destination for business and tourism. Additionally, Burbank is known for its walkable and safe neighborhoods, well-run school district, and “small town” charm.
About The Animation Guild
The Animation Guild, also known as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), was founded in 1952. As a labor union, it represents more than 6,000 artists, technicians, and writers in the animation industry, advocating for improved wages and working conditions. After seven decades, the Guild is celebrated for its deep roots in Burbank, advocacy for animation workers, and sustainable careers in the arts. From its pragmatic, service-centric beginnings, The Animation Guild has evolved into a union that boasts unprecedented levels of member participation, activism, solidarity, and community.