Story Published:
Jan 5, 2009 at 3:29 PM PDT
Story Updated:
Jan 5, 2009 at 4:14 PM PDT
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) — Art was laced up with political statement as a gallery opened an exhibit with a paint-splattered fundraiser that featured a "shoe throw" at an image of President George W. Bush.
City Councilor Eric Navickas — who opened the MAda Shell Gallery with partner Amy Godard — slathered a layer of red paint on the soles of sneakers, boots and sandals before people fired the footwear at an 8-foot image of Bush.

Each shot cost $1 at Friday's opening, with the funds to go toward future gallery exhibits.
Godard said the exhibit is a "statement of solidarity" with Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who was arrested after hurling two shoes at Bush in protest during a Baghdad news conference last month.
One contributor was 91-year-old Marjorie Mather.
"Wow, I didn't know that was going to be so much fun," she said after smacking a shoe into the Bush image.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.)
The following photographs are courtesy Eric Navickas and the MAda Shell Gallery
