Alum Sharon Lee Hart '04, a lecturer in the University of Kentucky School of Art and Visual Studies, recently published her first book titled "Sanctuary: Portraits of Rescued Farm Animals" which will be released this fall.
The book is comprised of photographs, taken by Hart, of rescued farm animals in various animal sanctuaries, accompanied by handwritten stories by sanctuary workers and leaders in the animal rescue industry. Spliced amongst the photos and stories are essays written by Karen Davis, president of United Poultry Concerns; Kathy Stevens, founder of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary; andGene Baur, founder of Farm Sanctuary.
A long-time vegetarian turned vegan, Hart refers to farm animals as "some of the most abused, overlooked animals on the planet." Upon visiting her first animal sanctuary, Hart was inspired to meet more rescued farm animals and pursue this project. The message of the book is to show the innocence and intelligence of farm animals across the country, and Hart hopes "Sanctuary" will promote advocacy for better treatment for farm animals.
"I hope that folks view the photographs with compassionate eyes, read the stories with an open heart, and begin to see farm animals in a new light," Hart said.
A native of Washington, D.C., Hart received her bachelor's degree with honors from Maine College of Art & Design and her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.