Community Art Exhibit Celebrates 5 Years of Mount Vernon’s Beloved Dog Fountain

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The Friends of South Main Plaza are inviting local artists and community members to submit artwork for a special exhibit celebrating the fifth anniversary of Mount Vernon’s iconic Dog Fountain. The Dog Fountain Exhibit will showcase dog-fountain-inspired artwork and run from July 28 to August 28, 2025, at Schnormeier Gallery and The Annex, both located in downtown Mount Vernon beside the beloved plaza.

The free community art show will honor the whimsical spirit of South Main Plaza, home to hand-painted, cast aluminum sculptures of 18 dogs, one cat, two pairs of birds, a pony, an apple, and the cherished golden dog bone. For five years, the Dog Fountain has been a joyful hub where residents and visitors gather, take photos, and find creative inspiration.

Artists of all ages are encouraged to participate by submitting artwork that captures the fun, charm, and community spirit of the plaza. To submit an online proposal or learn more about the exhibit, visit mvnu.edu/south-main-plaza/artwork. The deadline for submission is July 1. For artists under age 18, parental or legal guardian consent will be required upon acceptance into the exhibition.

The exhibit is made possible through the collaboration of Schnormeier Gallery, The Annex, and the Ariel Foundation — partners in the Friends of South Main Plaza initiative. Special recognition is given to Phil and Mary Samuell of Gambier, the original visionaries behind the fountain. Inspired by the late Claude Cormier, the internationally renowned landscape architect who designed the original Dog Fountain in Toronto’s Berczy Park, the Samuells brought their dream to life in Mount Vernon through a unique community partnership.

About Schnormeier Gallery
Located at 221 S. Main St., Mount Vernon, on the first floor of MVNU’s Buchwald Center, Schnormeier Gallery is dedicated to showcasing diverse artistic expressions. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free, and all are welcome to experience the transformative power of art in this vibrant community space. For more information, contact the Schnormeier Gallery at artgallery@mvnu.edu.

About The Annex
Located in a restored storefront at 12 E. Gambier St., Mount Vernon, The Annex is an extension of Kenyon College’s teaching museum, The Gund. Through programs informed by The Gund’s growing permanent collection, we reimagine what it means to “learn with art” as a community. We invite neighbors, families, students, and lifelong learners to discover new connections to art, ideas, and each other through free workshops, creative activities, and events. For more information, visit www.thegund.org/the-annex.