A new photography exhibit at The Momentary explores the age-old bond between humans and their pets. 

“Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography” is a collection of work from 25 artists.

“‘Best in Show’ is really exploring the ways in which animals and pets play a very important role in popular culture, but there are also these stand-ins for these ideas of love, compassion and tenderness, and especially companionship,” said Victor Gomez, curatorial associate for The Momentary.

The exhibit opened Saturday, Nov. 23 and will be on display through April 13, 2025. It is free and open to the public — and their pets. As part of the “Best in Show” experience, leashed pets are allowed in the galleries to wander the exhibit with their owners. 

The Artists

The exhibit begins with photographs from Dolly Faibyshev, whose featured work focuses on the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, where animals and their handlers compete for the title Best in Show.

“I think what I love most about these images by Dolly is that they are very humorous and satirical snapshots into what you might expect were you to attend one of these competitions,” Gomez said. “She is cropping these images so that you are almost invited to come up close and really look at them.”

Gomez said a lot of the exhibit artists are thinking about the ways in which animals, specifically those that we call our pets, show up quite often in popular culture. Some of the work addresses the ways humans contribute to the destruction of the natural world.

One of the featured series by Lisa Strömbeck examines the ways in which humans claim to have love for animals of all kinds, “when in reality, we really just mean our own pets,” Gomez said.

“She’s really commenting on the ways in which some animals are oftentimes neglected or only really looked at as commodities,” he added.

Sophie Gamand’s series “Wet Dogs” focuses on dogs in their most vulnerable moments during bathtime.

“What I think is really cool about this series is how she’s able to use this very vulnerable moment to capture a very wide range of emotions and expressions,” Gomez said.

Partnering With Best Friends

The Momentary is partnering with Best Friends Pet Resource Center. Best Friends, a national animal welfare organization with a location in Bentonville, will be hosting family-friendly activities throughout the length of the exhibit. 

Current do-it-yourself activities are:

• Adoptable Pet Art: Create a colorful portrait of an adoptable pet and help Best Friends get ready for the Bentonville Christmas Parade. Best Friends will have a float in this year’s Christmas parade, so anyone who would like to leave their artwork behind can have it featured in a festive mural on the Best Friends float. 

• Cat Headbands: Best Friends will provide materials to make and decorate cat headbands.

These activities will change throughout the exhibition.