The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world, attracting the best domestic and foreign canine talent. For those who are unaware, the very first show was held in Manhattan in 1877. That show was called “The First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs,” hosted by the Westminster Kennel Club. The show was staged at Gilmore’s Gardens and attracted an entry of 1,201 dogs!
The New York Bench Show of Dogs became the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and a legacy was born. Today it is the second oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby. What some may not realize is that woven into the legacy of Westminster is a history of art. Over the last century, art has played an important role in the development and legacy of the club.
The First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs was so successful that it extended from a three-day show to a four-day show. The show continued to grow and attract entries from historic figures such as J. P. Morgan, The Queen of England, and General George Custer. As the show grew in size and scope, a need was created for marketing materials to promote the show.
Artwork started to become an important part of the promotion and marketing of the club. Art also helped create one-of-a-kind keepsakes for spectators to collect. In the early 1900s, artist Arthur Wardle created a series of paintings depicting the various dog breeds that were being exhibited at the show. Some of these paintings were reproduced as postcards and posters. Wardle is considered to be the most iconic animal artist of his day, with his specialty being purebred dogs.
Over the years, other artists have contributed to the artistic legacy of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. In the 1930s, artist Marguerite Kirmse created a series of prints depicting various breeds, which were sold as souvenirs at the show. In the 1950s and ‘60s, artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell created several works related to the event.
In 2004, the first painting in a series by artist Misha Lenn was commissioned. Lenn is a world-renowned watercolor artist whose portfolio includes artwork for the Kentucky Derby. His style creates very colorful backdrops, with elongated, elegant strokes that bring to life the images of the seven Group winners from the previous year’s Best in Show lineup.
First Poster for WKC: The 2004 Westminster Kennel Club poster celebrating the 128th dog show. Dogs and people are gathering outside Madison Square Garden in this cityscape. Commissioned artist, Misha Lenn. Title: “Westminster. There’s Only One.” Proceeds from the sale of the poster went to the Animal Medical Center of New York.
In 2006, Westminster’s poster art was created by legendary sports artist, Bart Forbes. Forbes has been featured in some notable publications, including Time, Sports Illustrated, and Gold Digest. He is known for his realistic, yet loosely painted, style. It is only fitting that the subject of his Westminster painting was a Sporting dog. The poster was based on the 2005 Best in Show winner, the German Shorthaired Pointer. “Carlee” is fondly remembered for her free-stack heard ‘round the world during Best in Show, and the poster art captures that infamous stack in such striking, stunning detail.
The Westminster Kennel Club poster featuring a German Shorthaired Pointer in the ring, with the audience and a city skyline in the background, promoting the 130th show in 2006. Commissioned artist, Bart Forbes. Title: “Westminster. There’s Only One.” Proceeds from the sale of the poster went to Angel on a Leash therapy dog program of Morgan Stanley Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
One of my favorites because it captures a moment from the show. Commissioned.
The 2009 and 2010, commemorative paintings were commissioned by artist Trish Biddle. The two pieces from Ms. Biddle brought us back in time to the “Golden Age” of New York City glamor and society. The 2009 poster featured the 2008 Best in Show winner, “Uno,” with an appearance from Westminster Kennel Club mascot “Sensation” alongside him. The 2010 poster art featured the 2009 Best in Show winner, “Stump,” cruising through Manhattan.
Trish Biddle 2009 Poster
In 2012, Sean McCarthy became President of Westminster Kennel Club. Under McCarthy’s leadership, the club leveraged relationships he had established with two prestigious art schools, Pratt Institute and New York Academy of Art, to hold a series of competitive art contests among the students.
Art School Contest Winner: The Westminster Kennel Club poster promoting the 135th Show, featuring headshot profiles of different breeds, 2011. New York Academy of Art contest-winning artist, Amber Sena. Title, “Canon of Canine.” Proceeds from the poster sales went to the Animal Medical Center of New York.
Another favorite because of the detail of the breeds.
In 2019, Misha Lenn returned as the commissioned artist of Westminster Kennel Club with his unique style and vibrant colors that truly capture the glamor of New York City. Lenn has continued to be the official artist to the present day, with the latest piece featuring the 2022 Best in Show lineup in this year’s poster.
Poster promoting the 147th show featuring the BIS, MAC, and MOC winners from 2022. Inside the Arthur Ashe stadium as a nod to the new location with all eyes on the winning dogs. Commissioned artist, Misha Lenn. The title is “Match Point. Westminster.” Proceeds will go to the Westminster Breed Rescue Awards. Each year the Awards offer $5,000 each to three American Kennel Club (AKC)-recognized national breed clubs engaged in dog rescue activities. For 2023, the winners are the Havanese Club of America Rescue, the Newfoundland Club of America Rescue, and the Lagotto Romagnolo Dog Rescue, Inc.
While the introduction of art to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show began over a century ago to meet the need for marketing materials, it’s critically important to note its current philanthropic role. While, to many, the posters, notecards, and other pieces serve as a keepsake from the show, the proceeds from those posters go to fund canine health initiatives.
While the introduction of art to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show began over a century ago to meet the need for marketing materials, it’s critically important to note its current philanthropic role.
One of the most notable contributions that the art associated with Westminster makes is the annual donation of the original (yes, original) commissioned poster art to the Take the Lead Foundation. For those unfamiliar with this incredible organization, Take the Lead was founded in 1993.
Its mission is to “provide direct services, support and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses, and to provide temporary emergency assistance to those affected by civil disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes and the like.”
Each year, guests of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show can visit the Take the Lead booth and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win the original commissioned poster art.
This Google image shows one of the Take the Lead raffles featuring the original commissioned art piece. The original artwork has been donated to Take the Lead for the past three years. Current Take the Lead Board of Directors: Nancy Bosley, Terry Hundt, Peggy Helming and Mary Miller (current Chairman).
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has continued to evolve and grow, with new breeds being added and new events being introduced. However, the show’s connection to art and its artistic legacy remains an important part of its history and identity. And with the 150th anniversary show quickly approaching, there is no doubt that preparation is underway to create another piece of art that will become part of the Westminster Kennel Club legacy.
