It’s not every day that a 4-legged, cloven-hooved guest barges through the front door, but just yesterday we had an unplanned visit from a curious deer that turned our quiet gallery into a scene straight out of an adventure movie! Yes, you read that right—a deer crashed through our front entrance and took a not-so-leisurely tour of the artwork before making himself comfortable in the bathroom to calm down and regroup. Artist Lisa Eikenberry was on duty at the front desk at the time and was just as surprised to see the young buck as he was to see her, as you can surely imagine! She kept her cool, however, and dialed 911 even as the deer ran behind her at the desk in a desperate attempt to exit the Gallery through our Fall window display. He didn’t damage anything important—and most importantly he didn’t injure himself or Lisa! After a short but intense scramble in the window, he headed back to the bathroom where it was dark and quiet, presumably to think about his life choices.
The Lake City Police Department quickly sent several officers over to help keep the deer contained while waiting for officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to arrive on the scene. Lisa and our Curator, Sheila Carr, got some great photos and video footage of our four-legged visitor being gently “escorted” from the Gallery by FWC. The deer was tranquilized and gently carried out of the building to his ride, where he was soon whisked away to be returned back to the wild whence he came. It was definitely an experience we—and the deer—won’t forget any time soon! This encounter has given us all a renewed appreciation for nature’s unpredictability, but it’s also a reminder of just how dynamic our Gallery can be. Who knows what might happen next?
We are grateful to all of our local law enforcement agencies and officers for answering the call of duty and helping the beautiful buck—we’ve dubbed him Arty—out of his predicament quickly and safely. Arty, for his part, was extremely conscientious during his Gallery stroll and didn’t leave any destruction in his wake—all in all, it was the best possible outcome, for everyone involved.
Now that the dust has settled, it’s the perfect time to drop by and explore our current exhibit! If you’re a fan of animal art, you’ll love our ongoing Precious Pets Portrait Contest. We’ve received an incredible variety of entries—each one capturing the personality and charm of beloved pets. From elegant cats to energetic dogs (and even a reptile or two), there’s plenty to admire. Your vote matters! So come visit the Gallery and cast your vote for your favorite pet portrait before the contest ends on October 31st. The winning artist will receive a cash prize and a lucky voter will be entered for a chance to win a gallery gift certificate. So bring a friend and get your votes in before the deadline. Who knows? You might even find yourself captivated by the art, just like Arty the Art-Loving Buck. We look forward to seeing you at the Gallery soon!
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