During my 2025 Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence at the Arts Council of Princeton, I created a “pack” of ceramic Dogoyles which raised awareness for SAVE: A Friend to Homeless Animals. I placed these custom pieces in “Third Places” across town, from Hoagie Haven to the Garden Theatre, to celebrate the community spaces that bring us together. The work was on display Memorial day – Labor day and served as a town wide art scavenger hunt. Some of these pieces are still on display at their homes today!
The Dogoyle is a magical blend of dog, dragon, and gargoyle. These whimsical characters are born from the otherworldly love and spiritual protection that rescue animals bring into the lives of their pack. Just as a traditional gargoyle protects a space by warding off the unseen, these sculptures radiate the same sense of safety and belonging provided by a loyal companion.
Unconditional love ties conscious individuals together through a shared experience. Regardless of our differences, we all recognize the same frequency of devotion. This bond transcends personal history and unites us in a collective pursuit of happiness.
In the realm of public art, these forms act as a unifying connection between the individual and the community. Functionally they are vessels for love, crafted to hold the emotions that overflow when we enter a state of profound joy in being a part of a pack. Standing as threshold figures, the Dogoyle bridges our mundane existence with a deeper spiritual reality.
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Victor Bell: Sharing Joy
“He thought of the places where we go to seek out our pack – the coffee shops, the small markets, the cinemas and clubs where we meet our friends – and he envisioned placing these works there to remind people about the unconditional love to which dogs inspire us.”
“Dogoyles” Around Town
“I think the important thing that I’m trying to capture is the joy of creating, and the joy that a dog can inspire in you. When you see a dog, it inspires a feeling of love ”
Victor Bell brings the dog days to the Arts Council of Princeton
“This natural connection between dogs and people is what he hopes to reflect in his sculptures. More than just playful figures, his Dogoyles embody the way dogs try to communicate with us, forming a bond that is both instinctual and deeply emotional.”
Artist Victor E. Bell Celebrates Rescue Dogs
“Bell loves dogs — especially rescue dogs — and the unconditional love we receive from them. He also loves his Princeton community, and so the idea for “dogoyles” — a magical mix of dog, dragon, and gargoyle — was born.”
