New Madrid County property acquired for satellite community arts project

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Museum of Dog Founder, David Allen York, has announced plans for a satellite rural arts project in Southeast Missouri. Projects, such as this, have revitalized communities in many rural areas and provided economic stimulation.

“Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, Minnesota is one of the best examples of such projects I’ve seen in the country,” said York. (www.franconia.org) Like other projects in rural areas, these rural projects are attracting over 100,000 visitors per year.  York thinks the rich farmland, earthquake history and the importance of the section of the Mississippi River enhances the opportunities for the project’s success.

York recently sold his Atlanta based company Barking Hound Village, one of the first luxury dog care businesses in the U.S. The company included 7 locations in Atlanta and additional locations in Austin and Dallas, Texas. The pet industry is a fast-growing business segment increasing from $8 billion dollars to over $100 billion dollars in the past 20 years.  

The riverside project will include dog sculptures from the North Adams McCann Technical School Metal Fabrication Department as well as creations by local students and families in New Madrid County. Detailed plans will be announced this fall.