Cat’n Around Catskill
2025

ARTIST’S PACKET
Sponsored by the Heart of Catskill AssociationPO Box 721
Catskill, New York 12414
518-943-0989
CatnAroundCatskill@gmail.com
www.cat-n-around.com

Calling all Artists!
The 2025 Cat’n Around Catskill is quickly approaching, and with it is coming a very exciting new season for theHeart of Catskill. We are counting on all of you wonderful artists out there to create incredible, original artworkthat will amaze both local cat lovers and those who travel from far and wide to experience Cat’n AroundCatskill!
Participating in Cat’n Around Catskill is a great way for artists to gain public recognition. Both sponsors andartists will be promoted in both print and social media, at events, and on the streets! There will be many
promotions and special events throughout the season circulating your name and artwork to the public!

Artists wishing to participate will create colored sketches of their designs for a fiberglass cat, approximately 28
inches tall, available either in a sitting or standing position and mounted on a base. While you have complete
freedom with your design, one thing to take into consideration is that some of our sponsors are looking fordesigns that complement their businesses. Completed designs (limited to three submissions per artist) need tobe submitted to the Cat’n Around Catskill Committee for the selection process. It is essential that all designs besubmitted by December 31, 2024. Any submitted after the due date are at risk of not being chosen by asponsor. Once the design has been approved by the committee, you will be invited to the Artist/Sponsor
Reception where sponsors will select a design. The reception will be held in January (date/time TBT). Followingthe reception, our office will notify you whether or not your design was selected by a sponsor. The Cats will beready to be picked up at the Heart of Catskill office in late January, and over the next several months, artists willtransform their Cats. The Cats will be on display in Catskill from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Following
their summer on the street the Cats will be auctioned at the Cat’s Meow Auction & Gala at the Historic Catskill
Point sometime in September 2025.

In profound appreciation for the work done by our artists, you will receive a 30% share of the gross amount for
which the Cat is auctioned. Artists who return their work by the due date will receive the 30%. However, artists
who do not deliver their completed Cats by the due date will receive a smaller percentage. It is unfortunatethat this needs to be done, but the tardiness of even one Cat delays the timely production of the brochure. The
remaining net will be divided among local not-for-profit agencies to support the arts, the Barry Hopkins
Scholarship fund, Dutchman’s Landing Park, and future public events for the community.

Selection and Approval1) The Cat’n Around Catskill committee will review all submission packages for inclusion in the project.
2) Designs approved by the committee will be presented to the sponsors for consideration at the Artist
Sponsor Reception. The sponsor will make the final selection of the design and notify The Heart ofCatskill.
3) All artists will be informed whether or not their design has been selected by a sponsor.
4) Artists will receive $50 compensation for supplies when their Cat is picked-up.

5) Artists will receive 30% commission from the gross auction price of the Cat if the Cat is completed bythe due date, April 15, 2025. Only partial or no commission will be paid for submissions after the duedate, depending on how late the artwork is submitted. Please, this is VERY important to ensure thebrochure will be out by Memorial Day!!!!!

⬜ Artist Agreement (signed)⬜ Copyright Agreement (signed)⬜ 8½" x 11" color sketch of your Cat design
PLEASE save a copy of your design sketch and paperwork! Things get lost in the mail, and it would bea shame to lose the one and only copy of the design sketch you worked so hard on!
Scan and email to CatnAroundCatskill@gmail.com (easiest for us!) or mail to
HEART OF CATSKILL ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 721
CATSKILL, NY 12414

July 2024
December 31, 2024
January 2025 (TBT)
February 2025
April 15, 2025
May 2025
September 2025

Artists Packets available
Deadline for Artist Submission
Artist Sponsor Reception & Artist can pick up CATS
Notification of selection after the Artist Sponsor Reception
Cats MUST be completed and returned to HOCA on or before this dae
Cats Installation begins in time for Memorial Day Weekend
Cat’s Meow Gala & Auction at the Historic Catskill PointArtist’s Tips and Techniques (Updated for 2025)
Think permanence and prepare for damage by time, weather, and people!
DESIGNS MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY● Public safety is a significant concern. Designs should be created with durability and safety in mind.
● Designs that are religious, political, or sexual in nature will not be accepted.
● Corporate logos and advertising are not permitted● A review panel will evaluate all designs and has the sole discretion to accept or reject any design
PREPARATION● Wash the surface of your Cat to remove dirt and oils before beginning work
● Check for holes to fill or defects in the surface and fill small holes with a two-part-epoxy clay. Smoothand let set before sanding.
● Apply a primer such as Gesso and let dry completely before painting
EMBELLISHMENTS● The contact gromets at the base of the cat cannot be removed, altered, or obstructed in any way.
● All added embellishments must be Weather-Resistant and affixed so it can NOT be pulled off.
● Artists may alter the basic cat form but cannot compromise its structural integrity.
● Consider the weight of props, as they can be a problem lifting and transporting the finished cat.
● FABRIC: Clothing, hats, bags and other items made of fabric may deteriorate and/or fade outside.
Weather-proof with a fabric hardener such as Paverpol or Amazing Fa-Brick● For sculpted elements, use a two-part epoxy clay such as Magic Sculpt or Epoxy Sculpt. Do NOT use
modeling clay! It will not stand up to permanent outdoor display.
● Props stick best to a clean, unpainted surface. Use sandpaper or a wire brush to create a rough surfacewhere you plan to attach props for better adhesion.
● Warn anyone who may move your cat NOT to handle by the props that have been added. Props may
look to an outsider like a permanent part of the cat, but they are prone to breaking off if handled without
proper care.
● Do NOT use craft or scrapbooking stickers. They are not meant for permanent outdoor display.
Permanent vinyl made for use with a Cricut cutting machine works well.
PAINT
●●

●Use Acrylics such as Liquitex, Lascaux, Golden, Windsor-Newton, or other professional Acrylic paintOil-based paints are NOT recommended. If you must use oil-based paints, allow sufficient time to dry
before turning in your cat. You must NOTIFY HOCA when your cat is dropped off if you have usedoil-based paint. Our auto body shop uses a special process when applying the clear coating overoil-based paint and must know in advance.
Avoid all latex paints

ADHESIVES● We recommend using epoxy adhesives such as Gorilla Glue clear grip, or for heavier props, Gorilla 2Part Epoxy, 5 Minute Set or similar glue
● For optimum bond, we would recommend that adhesives and fillers be used on the fiberglass baseitself prior to any priming or painting.
CLEAR-COATING● Protect your artwork from scratches during transit with a clear coating such as Krylon UV-Resistant
Clear Acrylic Coating in MATTE finish. Matte finish allows us to take better photos of your work
before your cat professionally is clear-coated. Glossy finish coatings reflect the light and may obscureareas of your artwork. There have been cases where too much varnish or the wrong kind or varnish
was applied by the artist, which then reacted badly with the professional clear coating. LESS is more!
● ALL Catskill Cats will be taken for a professional auto-body clear coat. NO EXCEPTIONS unless yourdesign is made with mosaic or mirrored surface. Mosaic Cats will not be clear coated.

Artists participating in Cat’n Around Catskill 2025 will be acknowledged in the following ways:
1) The artist, title, and sponsor of each Cat will be displayed on a plaque which will be mounted on thebase of each Cat.
2) The artist, title, and sponsor of each Cat will be listed in the Cat’n Around Catskill brochure which will
include a map that indicates the location of each Cat in the Catskill area.
3) The artist, title, and sponsor of each Cat will be listed on the Cat’n Around Catskill website.
4) The Cat, along with its artist and sponsor, will be featured in both print and social media throughout theseason.
5) Artists, Sponsors and Cats will all be honored at the Cat’s Meow Auction and Gala in September 2025.
Artists will receive one free ticket to the Gala.

The BEST resource if you have questions when creating your Cat is to email the Cat’n Around Catskill
Coordinator at catnaroundcatskill@gmail.com. Over the past 17 years, we have seen everything and can offer
advice about what works and what to avoid.
Another great resource is John Imbesi, Jr at Quality Auto Body. Quality Auto Body has been clear coating theCatskill Cats for many years. John Jr is very knowledgeable about the Catskill Cats, especially if you areconsidering making alterations to your cat that would involve drilling into the fiberglass form to add
embellishments or alter the appearance of the Cat. Email qabcustoms@aol.com or call (518) 678-9688.

The Heart of Catskill AssociationPO Box 721
Catskill, New York 12414
518-943-0989

CatnAroundCatskill@gmail.com

Cat’n Around Catskill 2025
Artists Agreement

Deadline for submission – December 31, 2024

Artist Name: ______________________________________________________________________________(Exactly as you want it to appear on plaque and in print)
Title of Your Cat: __________________________________________________________________________________Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________________ State: __________ Zip: ___________
Cell Phone: ______________________________ Home Phone: ____________________________________
E-mail Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Sponsor (if applicable): _____________________________________________________________________
Design Statement (Brief description of design and/or what inspired you and/or how it will be made.)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assurances: I have completely read the Cat’n Around Catskill Artist’s Packet, including all Artist’s Tips andTechniques, and agree to its contents in full. I acknowledge that all application materials will become theproperty of the Heart of Catskill and no materials will be returned to the artist. I agree to all terms of the Artist’sAgreement.

Artists Signature: __________________________________________________ Date: __________________________

If Artist is under the age of 18, this art project must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
Supervising Adult’s Name: __________________________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Copyright Assignment
WHEREAS, ________________________________________ (artist’s name), an individual having an
address at______________________________________________________is the Author of the designand sketches (collectively referred to as the "Design") attached to the application
submitted to the Heart of Catskill Association Cat’n Around Catskill committee on thesame date of this assignment;
WHEREAS, the Artist understands and acknowledges that, as part of the application
process, it is intended that the Heart of Catskill Association with an address of PO Box 721,Catskill, NY 12414, Cat’n Around Catskill, owns the entire right, title, and interest in and tothe "Design."
WHEREAS, the Artist understands and acknowledges that he/she will be notified in writingby the Cat’n Around Catskill committee whether his/her design has been approved andselected.
WHEREAS, the Artist understands and acknowledges that, upon the artist’s receipt of
written notification that his/her design has been selected and approved, he/she shall applythat design to a Cat sculpture provided by the Cat’n Around Catskill committee, thereby
creating a "Finished Cat" ready for outdoor display during the summer of 2025.
WHEREAS, the Artist desires to transfer all of his/her right, title and interest in and to theDesign, including but not limited to, all derivative works which are based on the "Design"
to the Heart of Catskill Association.
WHEREAS, the Artist understands and acknowledges that the Heart of Catskill Association
shall continue to be the sole and exclusive owner of the entire right, title, and interest inand to the "Design", including, but not limited to, all derivative works based on the"Design" of the "Finished Cat" is approved for exhibition as described in detail in the Callfor Artists to Cat’n Around Catskill and that in such case the committee will pay the artist astipend of $50. to help defray the cost of materials used in the decoration of a Cat chosen
for exhibition. The Artist will also receive 30% of the gross sale price paid for his/her Cat at
the final Auction and Gala if the cat is delivered by the due date. Any Cat not sold at
Auction may be placed for auction on eBay or otherwise sold by the Heart of Catskill
Association.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Artist hereby assigns to theHeart of Catskill Association all his/her right, title and interest in and to the "Design" andto any derivative works based on the "Design" including but not limited to any rights itmay have in the Finished Cat, together with all copyright application and registrations
therefore.
The Artist acknowledges and agrees that, due to the nature of the public display of the"Finished Cat", Cat’n Around Catskill shall not be liable for any distortion, mutilation,modification, or destruction of the Finished Cat by accident, act of God or person. The
Artist hereby waives his/her rights under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), 17 U.S.C.
106A, as against Cat’n Around Catskill in the event of such distortion, mutilation,modification, or destruction.
The Artist further acknowledges and agrees that if the Finished Cat is vandalized,
damaged, or otherwise modified and the Artist is unable or unwilling to promptly repair
such alteration, Cat’n Around Catskill shall have the right to make, or have made, suchrepairs, even if the repairs would constitute distortion, mutilation, or modification underVARA. The Artist hereby waives his/her rights under VARA in the event and to the extent
Cat’n Around Catskill deems such repair necessary.
The Artist represents to Cat’n Around Catskill that he/she is the sole author of the "Design"and that the "Design" is an original work of authorship which does not infringe upon thecopyright rights or intellectual property rights of others, and that he/she has the
unencumbered right to make this assignment.
In the event the "Design" is not approved or selected for exhibition, as described in theCall for Artists, Cat’n Around Catskill shall assign (and hereby does assign) back to theArtist all its rights, titles and interests in and to the "Design."
Artist Signature: ____________________________________________________________
Print Name:____________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________Cat Title:____________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________