About Dogoyles:
Victor Bell’s deep affection for rescue dogs, and the unconditional love they so freely give, sparked the creation of Princeton’s Dogoyles. Equally inspired by the spirit of his community, Victor imagined a series of whimsical guardians that celebrate both canine devotion and neighborhood pride as his Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence Spring 2025 project.
These ceramic “dogoyles” (a magical blend of dog, dragon, and gargoyle) were originally crafted for beloved small businesses and community landmarks across town. Each one was designed to channel the sense of belonging, protection, and joy that dogs and local gathering places offer. Now reunited in our gallery, the full pack brings their collective magic together in one space.
Every dogoyle is accompanied by a QR code linking to SAVE, our local animal shelter, extending Victor’s hope that these sculptures inspire others to support and experience the transformative love of rescue animals.
About Victor Bell:
Having grown up in Princeton, I was lucky enough to experience the magic of the Arts Council and the community from an early age. My parents were both inspirational to me in their passions for creation, from my artist mother and my inventor father. I graduated from Rowan University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in MIS. During my last semester, I took one ceramics class but did not plan on ever doing it again. I work for my family’s small business and until recently, I did not consider myself to be much of an artist.
About 3 years, ago I got my hands back into clay and I am so grateful. I started taking beginner ceramics classes at the Arts Council where I found a passion for sculpting dogs. After getting a solid foundation of skills, I started practicing at a studio in New York City on 46th and 10th called Mud Matters. Early on, my goal was to somehow have my clay sculptures help rescue dogs.
Why dogs? In 2018, my family rescued two dogs and they changed our lives. The unconditional love that a dog teaches us is truly otherworldly. This feeling of spiritual protection is what I am trying to capture in my sculptures. Similar to how a gargoyle protects a space by scaring off bad spirits, my gargoyle-esque creatures bring forth the same feeling of safety which a dog provides.
The art serves functionally as a vessel for love. The feeling when you look at a dog and your emotions overflow you can put into these forms. Through creating with my own emotions for my dogs, my hope is these whimsical beasts can inspire others to create with their hands, hearts, and minds.
By placing them throughout the community, I wish to remind people that while we are all different, we share the same feelings of love. These shared experiences are important to celebrate and are what will bring us all closer together. This is my reason for creating, enjoy!
About the Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence Program:
The Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence Program, named after ACP Founding Director, was established by the Arts Council in 2009 to offer artists the opportunity to conceptualize and create work while providing the community with creative interaction with working artists in all disciplines.
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