Artists show off canine creations in downtown Naperville display

You can call it a collection of canines.

You can call it Pooch-a-palooza.

Or you can follow the Downtown Naperville Alliance's lead and call it the Dog Days of Summer.

Whatever you choose to call it - how about, "Here Spot!" - it's the latest outdoor public art project sponsored by the alliance, and if you stroll through downtown Naperville this summer you're certain to come across at least some of the 19 uniquely painted dog sculptures - a 20th is being repaired - that are part of the display.

There are three different versions of the dog-shaped figurines - each about 3 feet tall and cuter than the last.

The sculptures will be on display through mid-September and pet-related events will be scheduled throughout the season.

You can find the doggies along Van Buren, Jefferson, Jackson and Chicago avenues and Water, Webster and Main streets. A map detailing the site of each sculpture is available online at downtownnaperville.com, on social media and throughout downtown.

The promotional effort originated with the former Naperville United Way, which used to display figurines downtown each summer before auctioning them for charity. The Downtown Naperville Alliance revitalized the concept in 2012 with holiday-themed sculptures in the winter. Three years later, the program was moved to the summer.

The sculptures are sponsored by downtown businesses and stakeholders, who can choose their own artists to design and decorate them.