'Dining with the Cat' by Mylette Welch

Fans of local art have long known that Santa Rosa’s  Mylette Welch is one of the North Bay’s most popular painters.

In the recent Press Democrat Readers’ Choice poll, she tied for best artist with Sebastopol junk sculptor Patrick Amiot and Santa Rosa artist and arts activist Mario Uribe.

Followers of her whimsical pet portraits won’t want to miss her new show, “Dog Treats,” opening Wednesday, July 11, at the Graton Gallery, 9048 Graton Road, Graton.

The show also features guest artists Susie Peterson,  Richard Moore, Linda Schroeter and Gen Zorich.

There will be a reception at the gallery for the artists from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 15.

A percentage of Welch’s art sales will go to benefit the Healdsburg Animal Shelter.

Information: 829-8912, www.gratongallery.com.