Combining art, downtown business and community participation, not to mention the town's namesake, the Los Gatos Community Foundation is sponsoring the Art Cat project. Modeled after the cow projects of Chicago and New York and the sharks of San Jose, the project offers up one of 50 cats to any business that would like to be a sponsor and host the cat in its store for public viewing.

Each business has the option of selecting an artist to paint and decorate the cat or to call on the "kitty committee"—representatives of the foundation and Los Gatos Arts Commission—to align them with a local artist. Arts commission member and artist Elke Groves has pooled local artists and included them in a portfolio for interested businesses to flip through and select from.

"We have had a lot of artists volunteering," says Groves, who also hopes to be one of the artists selected for the project. "It is pretty exciting. I think it's great. It will bring some fun and color to downtown."

"This thing has four legs and a tail," says Teri Hope, arts commission chairwoman, owner of the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, and a member of the Art Cat committee. "It touches the arts, promotes economic development and fundraising, and it's also a community-wide social event. It really has so many angles, it takes on a life of its own. I think it's delightful. It provides humor and whimsy in a time when we need that distraction and to remember that there is joy in life."

The Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company has already signed up to sponsor a cat and plans to name it the Catte Latte.

"The motivation is to see that our businesses are highlighted through what is notoriously the hardest time of the year," added committee member Youwanda Dreger.

The cats will be made specifically for the town, measuring 2 feet long and 2 feet high, with a stylized, curved tail. "It's a whimsical cat more than a true-to-life cat," Hope says. The cats are able to be modified, she says, and it's up to the artists whether they want to make any changes to the body, face or tail.

"What could be more perfect? We have the name and the animal for the project—it's one and the same," said committee member Valerie Hopkins. "I hope this is the most fun project the town has ever had. Everyone is already really excited about it."

Businesses can adopt a cat for $500, which entitles them to foster the cat for the duration of the event and to give it a name. Artists will have from May 1 to Aug. 1 to decorate the cats, and then they will be on display from Aug. 1 to Sept. 5 in stores.

The project will culminate with the cats being rounded up for a "Cats on Parade" exhibit, held in conjunction with Saturday in the Park on Sept. 6, which celebrates the unveiling and dedication of the Lyndon Bandstand. In addition to all of the cats being lined up for viewing, there will be a cat photo contest as well as a catcalling contest.

Each cat will have a brass nametag, inscribed with its name, the name of the business and the artist's name. Next to each feline figure will be a glass fishbowl, where patrons can drop off a business card to be in the running for a $1,000 cash prize given out on Sept. 6. There will also be an auction sheet by each bowl for bidding on the cats. After the dedication, auction winners will be announced. All of the money benefits the Los Gatos Community Foundation, which will donate funds to several art-related organizations as well as student scholarships.

During the 2002 shark art project in San Jose, bids ranged from $1,500 to $20,000 per shark. As such, the kitty committee is optimistic but is just as enthusiastic about the positive social aspects as the revenue for the foundation and town.

"I hope it goes well," Hopkins says. "This is a really exciting thing for our town, and also a little different. It gives everyone a chance to be involved."

The idea for professionally painted animals placed about town originated in Zurich, Switzerland in 1998. It was supported by the Zurich Retail Association to promote retail and the arts downtown. The idea was transported a year later to Chicago, where 340 cows graced city streets. It was said to be the best promotional event in the city's history, raising $500 million in tourism revenue. The idea spread quickly, moving on to New York City, Los Angeles and numerous cities in-between.

The idea for the Art Cat project came after several years of Dreger and Mayor Sandy Decker talking about possible community projects.

"It was not a new idea, but it was the right time for it to be in our town," Decker says. "I think it says something about our community that is so ready to go with an idea, especially when it is centered around family, fun and a caring community. In these uncertain times, I think it is something that will truly enliven and enhance downtown and civic pride. We are so fortunate to be who we are and be in a town like this; it's easy to enhance it. The tapestry is already there, we just need to add a few more strands of bright color."

Hopkins emphasizes the importance of the fact that the installment "is not just there for a day" but is a long-term event that "provides a true palette and displays that we have so many good artists here. No one really recognizes the wealth of talent we have here in our community."

Businesses or individuals can sponsor an Art Cat. Individuals may choose a school or business of their choice to host the cat. To order, call Valerie Hopkins at 408.354.5444, Joanne Johnson at 408.354.7610 or Youwanda Dreger at 408.354.1669.