“Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar”

“Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar”

David Wright, Jacqueline B. Mars and Chief Justice John Roberts

Dog Collar, Dutch, 1793: brass with modern felt lining, 6 x 1 1/2 inches inscribed Jan D Hont 1793, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Greenan, 2014 National Sporting Library & Museum

An exhibition of rare and antique dog collars along with artwork spanning the 17th through 21st centuries was launched with a stellar opening at the National Sporting Library & Museum on the west end of Middleburg.

The 70 collars on display are part of the largest publicly held holding of its kind of 187 collars graciously donated to the NSLM by Timothy J. Greenan and his spouse, Jocelyn Greenan. The paintings, works on paper, and sculptures are on loan from the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog and American Kennel Club collections. They create an appreciation of the collar as art and object and how its design transformed in relation to different dog breeds and their evolving relationship.

NSLM Executive Director Elizabeth von Hassell noted, “With shared aspects of our mission statements, being able to bring our collections together is a natural partnership.”

NSLM Executive Director Elizabeth von Hassell and Timothy J. Greenan

The museum held an opening celebration attended by 100 guests following a cocktail hour. Timothy J. Greenan gave an introduction before a viewing of the galleries began with Claudia Pfeiffer, the NSLM’s Deputy Director and George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Curator.

Danny Hazel, Dana Reuter and Leslie Hazel

Guests included NSLM Board Vice-Chair Jacqueline B. Mars, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, and board members Frances Massey Dulaney, Jenny and Robert Irwin, Mary and Don Shockey, and Dana and F. Turner Reuter, Jr.

“Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar,” is on view through March 26. The Museum charges $10 for adults, $8 for youths (age 13-18), and $8 for seniors. NSLM members and children age 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Library & Museum hours are Thursday– Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. More at https://www. nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/visit.