May 13, 2020
The Celebration Dog Park Committee created a fire hydrant fundraiser to raise money to enhance the CROA amenity, Celebration Unleashed. Our first artist spotlight is on Meryl Rachlin.
Meryl has been a Celebration Resident since 2005 and resides with her husband Bill and her dog Daisy. Meryl has her own business, Meryl Murals, a three dimensional pet portrait, that is displayed at both Posh Pooch, Woofgang Bakery and the Art & Wine Stroll. Meryl was the first artist to display her artwork at the park by utilizing a special paint to reveal the image of a silhouette dog when the pavement is wet.
Pat Wehman sponsored Meryl’s design. Meryl says this is the first time she has painted on a fire hydrant. In trying to come up with a unique idea to paint she found her theme of Mars Attacks and finds it amusing that it is her first piece she assumes will be peed on.
Meryl started her mural painting business, Merylsmurals.com in 1995 in Boston and after moving to Celebration continued working in fine homes and small businesses painting. However, after her first dog Princess passed away Meryl developed Art That Pops, three-dimensional pet portraits that she now does on commission. You can view these lifelike pets on her website Artthatpops.com or at Woofgangs in town. ArtAscent; an international art/literature magazine awarded Meryl GOLD artist in 2014 in their pet themed issue which won her the cover and feature pages for her Art That Pop dog art.
Meryl resides on the steering committee of our Lifelong Learning program under the Celebration Foundation and keeps busy by teaching art classes, taking classes. Meryl also produces the five annual Art & Wine Strolls held on Market Street (celebrationartandwinestrolls.com).
If you’d like an artthatpops piece or drawing, graphite, colored pencil or painting of your pet(s) contact Meryl at info@ArtThatPops.com.
Have interest in becoming the next spotlight artist at the Dog Park, then contact the Parks and Recreation Department 407-566-1200 or parks.rec@celebrationtownhall.com for more information.