About

Photo by Maria Lupan on Unsplash 

Who Should Come to Purrsonalities

Anyone who loves art, cats, technology, or just trying something new. This exhibition should be fun for the whole family. Tell them all about it, and follow us for updates on more to come.

What To Expect At The Exhibition

During the Purrsonalities Exhibition visitors will be able to experience this collaborative art project both physically and virtually at the same time using their own mobile device or a borrowed device if needed.

Visitors will be given a link to our web application to visit on their mobile device and follow simple directions to use the camera to experience the art. You'll see 3D virtual art overlays on the physical portraits, animations, hear sounds, and interact using taps and swipes on the screen. 

Where The Proceeds Go

During the Opening Reception we will be auctioning the original portraits. We will be selling tickets to vote on various categories that will award the artists and cats during our opening reception as well. Limited Edition printed reproductions will be available during the two month exhibition. Workshops and talks are ticketed by donation, from free to a recommended donation between $5 and $30. All of the proceeds raised through this event will benefit artists and the Lexington Humane Society. 

The proceeds from this project will be split four ways:

When is Purrsonalities

Purrsonalities will open May 2-June 29, 2025. This time coincides with some of the peak season for kittens, and is a great time to adopt. Our Opening Reception is May 2. The gallery will be open during the Artists' Attic operating hours of 12:00 - 4:00 PM Fridays & Saturdays. Artist talks and workshops will be held Sundays 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

RSVP to the Opening Receptions and let us know you're coming. 

How The Collaboration Works

We are bringing together traditional and digital artists to collaborate on a physical image with a digital augmented reality (AR) overlay that expresses the personality and traits of an adoptable cat. 

Each pair of artists is given the task of meeting and learning about the personalities of adoptable cats at the Lexington Humane Society. Together they choose one to represent in their collaboration. Those with allergies that prevent them from visiting the cats will be able to pick from the shared images of other artists.

Because we want to represent adoptable cats, both aspects of the collaboration are being done in a short time, just a matter of a few weeks as all artists work together as a group. The group of artists give support and feedback to each other along the way. 

Traditional artists are encouraged to keep the background simple and the portrait in a looser style that captures the essence of the cat's personality while not taking the artist more than 10 hours to produce. 

The digital and traditional artists will collaborate to make sure the personality of their chosen cat is conveyed while also maintaining contrast and content that is sufficient for the AR to work. 

Digital artists are encouraged to keep the AR elements and effects simple enough to also not take the artist more then 10 hours to produce, while also being efficient enough to run through our web application on mobile devices smoothly without overheating.

Participating artist pairs have the opportunity to give talks about their process, and small workshops each Sunday starting at 3PM during the two months of the exhibit. This is to educate and engage the public while giving artists experience speaking publicly and giving workshops. For some artists this may be a first for them, so it's a great learning opportunity for everyone. 

Why Purrsonalities

Hello!


My name is Shylo Silvenar. I am the creator and curator of Purrsonalities. This started as a small idea for my first grant that I was going to do all by myself, but after talking to so many interested artists and individuals that said they would like to be a part of it, I decided that a collaboration was more fun. 


Since this is my first grant-funded project, I wanted to create something that I’m passionate about and confident I can bring to life. My work often focuses on mental health and overcoming challenges, and I strive to normalize conversations around these topics. Art is a powerful way to make a difference, even in small ways, and I hope this project does just that.


One thing I know can profoundly improve mental well-being is the companionship of a pet. Cats, in particular, are proven to offer emotional benefits. Personally, my cats have been a source of comfort and strength during some of the hardest moments in my life, and they frequently inspire my art. With Purrsonalities, I aim to advocate for these amazing animals while supporting local shelters during their busiest season, encouraging adoptions, and generating much-needed donations.


The augmented reality (AR) aspect of this project ties directly to my background in cross-reality development for architecture visualization, interactive games, and art. Before the pandemic, I led a collaborative called HVRE, where I guided community members in creating VR and AR projects. We exhibited those works proudly, and I’m bringing that same collaborative spirit here.


This project bridges traditional and digital art, two mediums that often seem worlds apart. I’m fascinated by the historical intersection of art and technology, and this project advances that conversation. By the end of this experience, I hope everyone experiences something extraordinary and gains a deeper understanding of the art spectrum—whether that’s traditional or digital.

Thanks again for joining me on this journey!


Sincerely,
Shylo Silvenar


P.S. I welcome questions and feedback as we get closer to Purrsonalities. Please feel free to contact me and I'll try to get back to you as quickly as possible.