EVERETT — Nearly two dozen area artists have pitched in for “Hay 4 Horses,” an art show running until June 14 on behalf of the Equine Rescue Association and Horse Haven of Marysville.

Marysville resident Janet Wold is hosting the show in her studio and gallery in Everett, with art ranging from sculptures and charcoals to paintings and photographs for sale to support ERA.

“We’re not taking any commission fees on these pieces,” said Wold, who had a piece of her own on display. “Our items for the silent auction have been donated by the artists.”

Wold takes boxes of apples and carrots to ERA on occasion, and in the wake of the passing of ERA founder Dr. Vel Moore, she’s been struck by the organization’s degree of need.

“This isn’t even fancy stuff that they’re asking for,” Wold said. “Most of it is just hay, pellets, and foot and mouth care. Their wish list is so simple. It’s not, ‘Oh, we need a computer,’ but instead, ‘We need ladders and hoses.’ Every single body there works so hard. When you visit, no one there is ever just sitting around.”

Heather Roberson, barn manager and vice president of ERA, and Danielle Penix, president of its fundraising committee, explained that they only have 15 steady volunteers to care for nearly 30 horses, with the rest of their volunteers only staying to help temporarily. They estimated that it costs between $7,000 to $10,000 a month to care for the horses, seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., including Thanksgiving, Christmas and all other holidays.

“The horses can’t go anywhere, so neither do we,” Penix said.

“More volunteers are always needed,” Roberson said. “We’re a non-profit organization with no paid employees.”

Rebecca Moore, a charcoal and pastel artist who contributed six of her pieces to the show, has never visited the ERA stables, but as the daughter of an Arabian horse breeder, she’s long held a soft spot for horses, who are the more frequent subjects of her art.

“I’ve always wanted my art to benefit local animals in some way,” Moore said. “This seemed like a great match. Horses are a big responsibility, and the thought of anyone having to give them up breaks my heart. ERA is doing a huge service for the community.”

ERA is hosting a memorial fundraiser in honor of Vel Moore May 29 from noon to 5 p.m. at its stables, located at 2415 116th St. NE in Marysville. For more information, you can log onto their website at www.era-horsehaven.org.