The poster for the open call to artists to take part in September 12’s Pigeon Paint Off at City Screen Picturehouse, York
THE Dead Toe Society is extending the deadline to August 7 for applications to participate in the inaugural Pigeon Paint Off live art competition at City Screen Picturehouse, York, on September 12.
“This is an open call for artists. Whatever your style, get applying,” urges event organiser Sam Crick. “We’d love you to be involved.”
Founded by @advocacy_for_pigeons and based in the Calder Valley, the Dead Toe Society combines art and activism in promoting pigeon rights.
“We absolutely adore pigeons, but they’ve become a bird that is despised,” says Sam, who previously ran York Stringfoot Pigeon Rescue. “It’s love or hate with pigeons. There’s no-one that isn’t bothered either way. There are very strong feelings about them – we even get shouted out when we feed them or de-string them.”
In York, 608 pigeons were shot by London North East Railways between January 2025 and April 2026 at York Railway Station, making it the highest among state-managed rail operators, as a safety measure against slippery droppings on platforms.
Only the day before this interview, Sam had taken a wood pigeon to a vet after it had suffered a compound fracture when being kicked. The bird had to be put to sleep.
“In another incident, a pigeon was thrown out of a window of a moving car by children, which is an animal crime, and was reported to us by a lady from The Portal Bookshop in York,” says Sam.
“One of reasons some people hate pigeons in cities is they don’t want to see feral animals in urban spaces. There’s this disconnect, not wanting to allow wildlife to co-exist with us in these spaces.”
Sam continues: “Pigeons are some of the most misunderstood animals in the world and we think it’s time that changed. That’s why it’s important to draw attention to their maltreatment. So we’ve created Pigeon Paint Off, our pigeon-themed live art competition and accompanying exhibition that celebrates the wonderful pigeon and gives these amazing birds the appreciation they deserve.
“So get ready for the very first Pigeon Paint Off, a live art competition celebrating pigeons! Watch talented artists bring original works to life, each one inspired by our feathered friends, in two rounds of two-hour paint-offs with talks taking place either side of that.
“You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase the artwork created during the competition, with proceeds supporting Columba Sanctuary and Advocacy for Pigeons, as well as the artists themselves.”
Alongside the main event, visitors can explore a curated exhibition featuring additional artworks by the participating artists. “Running from 11am till late, the day will be filled with live music, talks, stalls and plenty of creative energy in this fantastic riverside venue, City Screen Picturehouse,” says Sam.
“You’ll also be able to learn more about why pigeons are suffering, the issues they are facing, why they need our support and how you can help advocate for their wellbeing”
Tickets will be released shortly and will be limited, so keep an eye out and be ready to secure yours for this special event! Watch this space for more details.
The poster for September 12’s Pigeon Paint Off live art competition at City Screen Picturehouse, York
To apply to participate, email the following information to Sam at deadtoesociety@outlook.com:
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself/artist bio in a maximum of 300 words.
2. Include examples of work.
3. Share links to any social media platforms/website showcasing your work.
4. Provide images and details of up to two artworks proposed for exhibition. These do not have the be the final two pieces of artwork submitted; this is to give us an idea of what you may like to submit.
“We ask that all art materials used during the live event are vegan,” says Sam. “If you’re unsure if your art supplies are vegan, please still submit an application. We’re happy to check your whether your materials are suitable. If you have any questions, feel free to email or message me on Instagram.
“We look forward to seeing you at Pigeon Paint Off, a creative fundraising event supporting @columbasanctuary and @advocacy_for_pigeons.”
The Columba Sanctuary aviary is run by City Screen Picturehouse general manager Cath Sharp at Barmby Moor, near York.
“It’s a one-person, not-for-profit pigeon sanctuary created to save the lives of feral, homeless or non-releasable pigeons who would otherwise face euthanasia or a slow death from lack of care,” says Cath, who names her sanctuary after the Latin name for the larger breed of pigeon. “Alongside rescue, we provide compassionate education about the need for pigeon rescue.”
The sanctuary is run entirely by Cath, who helps pigeons and other birds simply for the love of doing it. She does so alongside her busy full-time job through the generous help of donations and volunteers. Please note, the sanctuary is unable to take baby birds that need feeding every few hours.
A triptych of Sharon McDonagh’s pigeon paintings on display at VandalFest at 2 Low Ousegate, York, in July 2025
In addition to pigeons, Cath’s aviary houses nine crows, a rook, two jays, named Jay-Z and Jam Master, and a blackbird called Spike.
Looking forward to playing host to the Pigeon Paint Off at City Screen, she says: “It will bring people from all over the country to take part in the paint-off, which will be followed by the exhibition running for three weeks.”
York’s premier pigeon artist, Sharon McDonagh, alias spAm, will not be able to take part in the Pigeon Paint Off on account of her own commitment that day, when artworks from the RARE Collective’s PaintJam at AcombFest in July will be auctioned off at an event hosted at the Carlton Tavern, in Acomb Road, in aid of SASH, York (Safe and Sound Homes).
“But I will be doing another Columba Sanctuary pigeon art raffle at some point this year,” says Sharon. “Pigeons remind me of my Dad. I’ve loved pigeons since being a kid, so he built me a huge pigeon loft down garden so I could rescue pigeons. My first one, Joey, had a broken wing and lived with my rabbits.
“They’re the underdogs and were once held in high esteem but now they’re deemed as ‘vermin’ and treated really badly, which I find so upsetting and a tragedy after they did so much for us back in the day.
“They’re very affectionate and love human contact. They’re such a cool bird…and always make me smile.”
What is the Dead Toe Society?
“DEAD Toe Society is an arts and activism initiative I founded that uses creative projects and community engagement to challenge harmful attitudes towards non-human animals,” says Sam Crick. “My main focus is on changing public perceptions on pigeons and promoting coexistence in our shared urban spaces.”
Why is it called the Dead Toe Society? “The reason I got into pigeons was that I saw an injured pigeon in my my lunch break one day, and I could see that the bird had something around its feet,” says Sam.
“It took a month to ‘catch’ the bird, after I studied a video on YouTube on how to catch them, and then a toe dropped off in my hand, hence the Dead Toe Society. There’ve been many injured pigeon toes that have dropped off in my lap since then.”
Sam is organising the National Pigeon Advocacy’s International Pigeon Advocacy Conference at Derby Conference Centre on October 10 & 11. “We’ll have the whole venue to ourselves; there’ll be vegan catering, lots of guest speakers, and I’ll be doing an art creative project,” she says. Tickets are on sale at nationalpigeonadvocacyassociation.co.uk.
Pigeon merchandise will be sold at the two-day conference, including clothes, gifts and cards from Little Green Pigeon (littlegreenpigeon.co.uk).
“It’s about teaching people to be kind and considerate, and hopefully being kind to pigeons can filter out into caring about other things too,” says Sam.
A good starting point would be to visit helpwildlife.co.uk, where a registry of bird rehab & rescue centres and sanctuaries can be found, giving a list of who to contact.
Did you know?
ON her wedding day, Sam Crick walked back down the aisle to Lieutenant Pigeon’s 1972’s four-week chart topper, Mouldy Old Dough, the second biggest-selling single of that year.
“I was dressed in grey and there were pigeon ornaments on the cake and on the tables, as well as naturally moulted feathers in my bouquet,” says Sam, who has two pigeon tattoos. “I also wore a pigeon necklace that Cath [Sharp] gave me.”