The event will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 18 at Soldier Creek Winery.

“I’m a dog lover to the core,” said Shelly Bottorff, FDFAA director. “I’ve always had at least one dog and currently have three.”

Bottorff has been scheduling different pop-up art events around Fort Dodge for this summer and was brainstorming ways the FDFAA could connect with people who maybe haven’t heard of the organization, and to generally reach more people.

“That’s when it clicked,” she said. “Dogs, wine and art — let’s try it.”

She said everyone she spoke to was immediately on board with the idea.

“It’s a new way to raise funds, connect with new people and spend time with our four legged friends,” Bottorff said. “Our focus has been on fundraising for Phillips Auditorium and we needed to think of some creative ways to raise funds for our general operating expenses, too.”

The event will feature an array of activities and art projects for humans and their dogs to try, like nose- and paw-print painting using pet-friendly paint, a water play area, a treat station, stepping-stone making, ornament making, personalized dog sketches, a photo booth and more.

Kaila Blomberg, Webster County animal protection officer, will be giving a dog training Q and A session.

Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa will also be at the party, selling pet accessories.

Bottorff said there will be about 25 volunteers helping at the event.

Volunteer Andrea Larson will have a booth with information on doTERRA essential oils for pets, and on which essential oils can be dangerous.

The Dad’s Best Food Truck from Humboldt will also be at the event serving lunch.

“We’re excited to bring so many different entities together,” Bottorff said.

There are some rules for the dogs in attendance. Dogs must be courteous and able to socialize with people and other dogs, be on a leash and supervised by their human at all times, and up-to-date on all vaccinations and flea treatments.

And if the dogs leave any “happy little accidents” around, their humans will need to clean it up. It’s a Paw-casso Paw-ty, afterall, not a potty.

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be found at www.soldiercreekwinery.com. The cost is $30 for one dog, or $50 for two dogs, and a glass of wine is included with each ticket. A portion of the proceeds will go to Webster County Animal Protection.

“Dogs. Wine. Arts. Raising money for a good cause. I mean what more could you want?” Bottorff said.

Bottorff added that if the event sees a good response, she plans to do an end of summer “paw-ty” later.