Studio ACE presents Creature Comforts: The Art of Pets and Animals, a juried exhibition celebrating the profound presence of animals in our lives—wild and domestic, real and imagined. This show explores the deep connections we share with our animal companions and the creative inspiration they provide. We are honored to welcome internationally-collected Oceanside artist Michael Summers—creator of ACE’s beloved Be Kind mural—as our guest juror.
As Michael shared with us:
“I’ve loved and been inspired by animals for as long as I can remember, so I was truly honored to serve as one of the jurors for ACE Gallery’s Creature Comforts exhibition.
Animals possess a unique ability to mirror our emotions and inner lives, making them powerful and deeply relatable subjects in art. Their expressive qualities invite us to anthropomorphize—to see reflections of ourselves in their gestures, behaviors, and personalities. The incredible diversity of animal life offers a near-limitless source of artistic inspiration, both visually and emotionally.
Our relationship with animals—particularly domesticated ones—has shaped the course of human history. The bond between humans and dogs, for instance, dates back thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years. Across cultures and throughout time, animals have carried symbolic and narrative weight: from ancient fables filled with talking creatures to the 32,000-year-old Löwenmensch (Lion-Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel, one of the oldest-known examples of figurative art), we see a long tradition of blending the human and the animal in the realm of imagination.
The breathtaking biodiversity of our planet continues to spark awe, wonder, and a profound emotional connection—one that artists are uniquely positioned to express and celebrate.”
We are deeply grateful to Michael, as well as to Larry Vogel and Barbara Runge, who helped facilitate the jurying process. Barbara and Larry, along with Julie Weaverling, also curated and installed the exhibition, which features 56 artists and 59 artworks. Special thanks to our former Gallery Coordinator, Wanda Brown, for her contributions, and a warm welcome to our new Coordinator, Mitzi Summers, who has gracefully taken on the challenge of organizing an exhibition in a brand-new gallery space. We hope you enjoy the show!
