Dogs and art will come together Sunday as promoters for the fourth annual Art For Dog’s Sake art fair try to raise more than $1,100 for a local charity that helps abused or neglected dogs find suitable homes.

The event, the brainchild of Yarmouth-based painter Alison Bramhall, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sprague Hall off Route 77. Tickets sales and proceeds from sold work will go to the Maine chapter of Dogs Deserve Better.

The financial help couldn’t come at a better time, said chapter head Susanna Richer.

Richer is trying to find permanent homes for seven dogs that live in an outdoor pen in Montville. She said she will use the money to neuter the seven dogs and eventually find them good homes.

“This is a great charitable event,” Richer said Monday while playing with Maizy, an 8-year-old beagle mix rescued from the Montville home, and Chewie, a 10-month-old Catahoula mix that she helped rescue from a Tennessee kill shelter on Saturday. “It brings together people who love art and who love dogs and you just can’t go wrong with that.”

Dogs Deserve Better is a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing chained dogs and bringing them into the homes of loving families. In 2007, the Maine chapter placed 171 dogs from throughout the nation into better homes.

“You just couldn’t ask for a better organization,” Bramhall said. “When I spoke to Susanna about what they do, I said ‘this is it.’ “

Art for Dog’s Sake will feature 14 area artists with diverse works. There will be a $2 fee at the door to see art that ranges from paintings to jewelry.

Bramhall juries the art and does not duplicate styles or artists’ focus.

“I want this to be quality art and not something you can find at any art show,” she said. “These artists are very talented and dedicated professionals that are committed to this show and this cause.”

Bramhall will also put part of the $85 registration fee toward the charitable donation.

Bramhall got the idea for the event after helping dogs that became homeless after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.

That year’s event, called Dogs on Wheels, raised $250 for Shelter Friends Rescue.

In 2006, Bramhall discovered Dogs Deserve Better and donated $398. Last year her art fair raised $1,100 for the charity.

“We couldn’t ask for a better fund raiser than Alison,” said Richer, who lives in Portland. “I don’t have a lot of time to fund raise. She is a blessing.”

Bramhall hopes to draw up to 500 visitors to this year’s event.

Artists at this year’s event are:

Alison Bramhall, Festive Fish: Colorful charts of the coast, whimsical sea creatures on canvas, 2009 Coastal Chart Calendar, ABCs of Maine kids art poster. www.festivefish.net

Jim Williams, Portland, Mainely Labs Studio: Original acrylic paintings featuring bold color images of Labrador retrievers. Prints, cards, mugs, T-shirts and more.

www.mainelylabs.com.

Claudia Diller, Portland, Art Calendars: Small original paintings, prints, and wall- and desk-size calendars of original artwork. www.claudiadiller.com.

Willa Wirth, Portland, Silver Design: Handcrafted silver creations. www.willawirth.com.

Ellen Maher, Chebeague Island, Chebeague Island Santa:

One-of-a-kind Santas hand-built using clay made from recycled newsprint.

Kaitlyn Miller, Brunswick, Pottery Colorful: Majolica-glazed earthenware for the home. [email protected].

Nina Houghton, Portland, Sea Charms: Seaglass jewelry and belts. www.seacharms.com.

Sue Worthing, Portland, Jubilee Beads: Handcrafted seaglass ornaments and jewelry with vintage beads and buttons.

www.jubileebeads.com.

Mary Sue Mainella and Theresa Cady Libby, Portland, The Formulaah: Coastal Maine’s premier line of spa-inspired body care treatments. www.theformulaah.com

Jeff Peterson, Harrison, Peterson Woodworking: Woodenware for the table and kitchen.

Kathy Chadwick, Wiscasset, Island Granite Works: Unique and functional items, including lamps, vases and more, from stones collected throughout Maine. www.islandgraniteworks.com.

Jenny Campbell, Cape Elizabeth, Jenny’s Chickens Natural Sauces: Handmade with only the freshest all-natural ingredients and no preservatives. www.jennyschickens.com.

Andy Curran, Westbrook, Dog Star Creations: Cards and journals featuring images inspired by nature accompanied by original poetry by the artist. www.dogstarcreations.com.

Linda and Ken Perrin, Ellsworth, Atlantic Art Glass:

Contemporary blown glass beads and glass sculptures inspired by the Maine coast. www.atlanticartglass.com.

For more information, contact Bramhall at 846-4925.

Serving as a foster mom to 10 month-old, Chewy, a Catahoula mix, Jess Reale, of Portland, poses for a portrait at the Ocean Avenue dog park in Portland Monday afternoon. Chewy was rescued from a kill shelter in Tenneseee and Reale is considering adopting him. Maizy is an 8 year-old Beagle mix. She was rescued from an outdoor penn in Montville, Maine. She will be available for adoption next week.