By Beth Sergent
For Mason County Extra Edition
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Creativity will meet compassion at the upcoming Paw-Casso’s Art Show and Silent Auction, set for 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Point Pleasant River Museum & Lakin Ray Cook Learning Center on Main Street.
The event showcases artwork created by local aspiring artists, all under the age of 12, who have painted and drawn portraits of adoptable animals from the Mason County Animal Shelter. Each one-of-a-kind piece will be available for viewing and bidding during the silent auction. Bidding starts at $10. Refreshments will be provided.
The young artists are using their talents to raise awareness for shelter animals. All proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the Mason County Animal Shelter and its ongoing efforts to care for local pets in need.
Lauren Billiter of Point Pleasant is helping to host the event.
“I’ve seen how community involvement has benefited other shelters and I brainstormed what our community could do to help our local animal shelter,” she said. “After watching my nephew draw pictures, I came up with the idea of an art show by young children. The art would be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Mason County Animal Shelter, all while teaching the children kindness and charity through creativity.”
If You Go 🐾
What: Paw-Casso’s Art Show and Silent Auction
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8
Where: Point Pleasant River Museum & Lakin Ray Cook Learning Center, 316 Main Street, Point Pleasant, W.Va.
Admission: Free and open to the public
Proceeds Benefit: Mason County Animal Shelter
According to Mason County Animal Shelter Director Denee Sidenstricker, there are 19 cats and 31 dogs currently being cared for at the shelter.
Getting those animals “seen” is incredibly important to getting them adopted.
“This event will provide exposure for our animals needing homes first and foremost,” Sidenstricker said about what she hopes the Paw-Casso’s Art Show can accomplish. “It will also provide a financial boost for extras we like to provide for the animals, or medical care they may need above and beyond vaccinations, and spay/neuter.”
Some of those extras include treats for the animals and hard, durable toys for the dogs.
“We also go through a ridiculous amount of laundry soap, floor cleaner and paper towels,” Sidenstricker said. “Any way we can supplement our budget (such as fundraisers like the Paw-Casso’s event) is just more we can do for the animals in our care.”
The young artists from across the community met this week at LifeSpring Community Church to create their pieces, an effort that has also fostered a partnership and outreach opportunity for the shelter.
“These events, most importantly, raise awareness for the animals,” Sidenstricker said about the importance of the shelter connecting with the community. “Getting kids involved will also hopefully set them on a path for proper pet care, so that someday, maybe a shelter won’t be needed. We deal mostly with abused and neglected animals, so if we can start young at helping break that cycle, it will make a lifelong impact on the community and on animals.”
Organizers invite the community to come enjoy an evening of art and heart and to celebrate the creativity of Mason County’s youth as they help give animals a second chance at finding loving homes.
For more information call or text 304-593-8713.
© 2025, Mason County Extra Edition, all rights reserved. For permission to republish content for commercial use, email requests to masoncountyextraedition@gmail.com.
Beth Sergent has 20 years of experience in journalism, having worked as both a reporter and editor. She has a BLA in English from Marshall University, and a certificate in Technical Writing from Duke University. She is a lifelong resident of Point Pleasant, in Mason County.
Mason County Extra Edition 