Pet photo exhibit kicks off in NYC with star-studded opening ceremony

New York, New York - New York City's Fotografiska Museum has finally opened its much-anticipated exhibit, Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography!

Emmy-winning actor Katherine Heigl attended the official opening of Best in Show at Fotografiska in New York City on behalf of her pet nutrition brand, Badlands Ranch.
Emmy-winning actor Katherine Heigl attended the official opening of Best in Show at Fotografiska in New York City on behalf of her pet nutrition brand, Badlands Ranch.  © Screenshot/TikTok/@mickmicknyc

The exhibit was made by Fotografiska in collaboration with the Badlands Ranch, a premium pet nutrition brand founded by Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl.

Heigl attended the official exhibit opening on Thursday night in Manhattan.

A press release for the exhibit calls it "a joyful celebration of pets and our undying love for them" where visitors can "dive into the role our furry (and feathered) friends have played in culture and how they stand in as representations of status, power, loyalty, compassion, and companionship."

Puppy abandoned in the woods finds help in the unlikeliest place
Dogs Puppy abandoned in the woods finds help in the unlikeliest place

Best in Show - which features wall-to-wall very good boys and girls - runs from September 22, 2023, through January 2024. Featuring 24 artists and over 130 works of art, the exhibition is spread across two Fotografiska museum floors.

Best in Show was curated by Jessica Jarl, Fotografiska's Director of Global Exhibitions.

Offerings on display include documentary photos, candid snaps, and video works, as well as a few interactive tactile experiences.

Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography puts its best paw forward

Henry and Hope by Gerrar Gethings (above) is featured in Fotografiska's exhibit Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography.
Henry and Hope by Gerrar Gethings (above) is featured in Fotografiska's exhibit Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography.  © Henry and Hope / Gerrar Gethings

"During the pandemic, when this exhibition was conceived, pet ownership grew exponentially," the museum's executive director, Sophie Wright, said.

"Our mutual dependence leads to the question, who owns whom?"

An exclusive capsule collection is being produced alongside Best in Show to be sold in-store at Fotografiska and online.

9 foot long "doomsday fish" washes up on California beach
Animals 9 foot long "doomsday fish" washes up on California beach

The collection includes trendy goodies for both pets and their people.

Check the Fotografiska website for upcoming events related to the pet exhibit, including an October 1 Yappy Hour dog adoption pop-up, professional pet portraiture on October 8, and a family-friendly museum scavenger hunt and trivia game with Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl Referee Dan Schachner on October 15!

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/TikTok/@mickmicknyc

More on Animals: