Anew art exhibition is set to have tails wagging around the Limestone Coast with a 21-piece collection showcasing dogs in the community commissioned by an array of local artists.

The original pieces will be let off leash at Confession for two months while prints will decorate the Hastings Cunningham Reserve Dog Park until the weather wears them down.

A public call out for photos of furry friends received over 400 submissions which were then narrowed down to a short-list.

The project simply titled ‘DOG.’ is funded by the City of Mount Gambier Creative Arts Fund and led by Tenison Woods College art teacher Megan Amoroso.

The artworks were created by local artists Mrs Amoroso, Rachel Clayfield, Tennille Stevens, Larissa King, Phoenix Lomas, Amelia Taylor, Alexa Balog, Evie Thompson and Lukas Dodds.

A silent auction of the pieces will be held at Confession with all proceeds donated to the South East Animal Welfare League (SEAWL).

Mrs Amoroso said she chose to focus the exhibit on canines because it was a topic a lot of people could relate to.

“I was wanting to do something with dogs because I love dogs and I love drawing them, but at the same time I also wanted to do something that would be something a lot of people could connect to,” she said.

“As an art teacher and an artist some people get art and some people do not and it should not be that way, it should be there is something that everyone can connect to.

“Nearly everyone has pets and a lot of people are quite attached to their pets, so I thought well that is going to be a good way to connect people to art without it being scary or trying to find the meaning.

“We are hoping there is a diverse range of breeds within the ones that we selected so there is something for everybody, but there is not everybody’s dog.”

Mrs Amoroso said she aimed to get young artists involved in the project.

“A lot of the times as a young artist – I have been there – it is daunting especially because there is such an established and highly skilful range of artists in the area,” she said.

“Coming in as somebody who is at school or fresh out of school it is hard and it is intimidating so I wanted to give them the opportunity in a non-competitive setting to put themselves out there.”

Mrs Amoroso said the A3 corflute prints of the pieces will be spread between the two dog parks.

“The plan is to put them on the inside of the fence and around the space so it encourages people who are in the dog park (to interact),” she said.

“It was important that it was based on pets that are actually located and living down here because it is about celebrating the dogs of the Limestone Coast and how much they actually do for us.

“It gives the artwork more meaning, it is not just some random dog, it is ones that use the area and use the dog park.

“I thought why not bring art down there and then it is opening it up for people who might not necessarily go looking for art.

Mrs Amoroso said there would be QR codes for the silent auction in both locations.

“There is no set price for them because we want art to be available for everyone and a lot of times people do not buy art because of associated cost,” she said.

“We want the public to name their price but at the same time I am hoping people are going to bid generously on every piece.

“I wanted to highlight the work they (SEAWL) do, just open it up to everyone but also somehow give back to them as well.

“I am really excited and thankful that I have been given this opportunity and that all the artists within the collective have been given the opportunity.

“I am so proud of what we have been able to create.”