Mulberry Art Studios, 21 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster, is now accepting submissions for its sixth annual We Love Our Pets show. Artists and pet owners in Lancaster County are encouraged to enter original artwork of their animal companions until Friday, April 12. Accepted submissions will be displayed at Mulberry Art Studios in May for National Pet Month.

Amateur and professional artists of all ages are invited to participate in the show, and submissions may be artwork in any medium, such as painting, drawing, sculpture or photography. Artists may submit as many pieces as they desire. To view the full list of guidelines for submissions, email gallery curator Stephanie Kulfan at Stephanie.mulberryart@gmail.com.

Every year, Mulberry Art Studios partners with a local nonprofit organization for the We Love Our Pets show; a portion of all artwork sold at the exhibit will benefit the Sebastian Foundation for Animal Rescue. Amy Garrety, the organizations founder, will attend the opening night of the exhibit from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3. Garrety and a team of volunteers and rescued dogs from the Sebastian Foundation will receive donations at the door. We chose to have this show benefit Sebastian Foundation for Animal Rescue our very first year because they are a local nonprofit that really pours their all into helping the animals in our area find homes, Kulfan said. We have continued to have it benefit the Sebastian Foundation each year because the more we get to know them, the more we love them and all they do.

Mulberry Art Studios partners with various school districts in Lancaster County to incorporate the show in art teachers curricula, allowing students to create pieces for the show during class time. Awards will be given out for Best in Show and Peoples Choice in the adult and youth categories. The recipients of the Best in Show award will be chosen by a panel of artists.

Although accepted artwork will remain on display until the end of May, vendors will only be present during the opening reception. Last year, vendors sold a variety of items, including dog treats, pet accessories, pet portraits, animal grooming services and refreshments for humans.

We get some really incredible artwork that is deserving of awards. But personally, my favorite part is when little kids have submitted art into the show, Kulfan said. I get to see their faces light up as they come into the building and see their artwork up on the gallery wall with all the other artwork.

For more information, visit https://mulberryartstudios.com.