Greeting Committee - Shar Pei Gallery Girls
Throughout Woodward Gallery’s ever-evolving landscape, one thing has always stayed consistent: the Shar Pei Greeting Committee. Our family of delightful Shar Pei dogs has been a part of Woodward Gallery’s history for over 30 years. These amazing pups are known not just for being loyal guard dogs, but as beloved companions welcoming all who visit the Gallery with a smile on their mushy faces. Every wrinkle is a work of art! Maybe you’d call them “avant-guard-dogs”?
If you’d like to follow the journey of our fabulous Shar Pei Gallery Girls, you can find them on Instagram at @WoodwardSharpei. 📸 You can also visit these precious pups in person during your appointment.
Current Welcoming Committee
Olive Woodward
(2026 – Present)
As the latest member of the Woodward Gallery family, Olive is without a doubt the most confident canine you’ve ever met. She greets gallery patrons and neighborhood locals alike with boundless enthusiasm.
In Memoriam
Gone but never forgotten. Though no longer with us today, our previous Shar Pei family has left a lasting impression on their community as well as the Gallery’s history. We will forever cherish the time they spent in our company.
Betty Woodward
(2012 – 2024)
Better known as “Cheese”, our beloved blue Betty was completely blind, yet had an extraordinary sense of hearing. She was profoundly alert at all times.
Rose Woodward
(2015 – 2026)
Rose dutifully looked after the 132A Eldridge Street location and the gallery art warehouse. Her energy offered the warmest greeting to her position.
Lucy Woodward
(2005 – 2012)
Lucy was magnificently smart and learned the names and faces of all gallery patrons and community regulars.
Ethel Woodward
(2006 – 2015)
Ethel was the beloved face of our 133 Eldridge Street space and was revered by the Chinatown community.
Rinki Woodward
(1990 – 2004)
Rinki was the top dog at our 476 Broom Street space, where she loyally guarded the art at our first gallery space.
Lucy and Ethel Woodward were beloved pets–and the Gallery’s special Greeting Committee! They were Chinese Shar-Pei sisters. Their pedigree mother Vantage is a retired, winning show dog. Lucy was born on December 6th 2004; and her baby sister Ethel arrived from their mom’s next litter on November 14th 2006. Lucy and Ethel were the local neighborhood mascots, having been photographed for international magazine articles, album covers, The Daily Dog, The New York Sun— as well as by countless visitors.
When Lucy passed away on May 16, 2012, Betty joined the Gallery’s greeting team and Woodward family. Born in Maine on May 16, 2012, Betty is a rare, blue, female Shar-Pei. She too comes from a line of pedigree, award-winning parents.
On March 6, 2015 Ethel peacefully passed away of natural causes (memorial article here). Betty was missing her big sister when fate brought news of baby Rose, born on March 16th, 2015 in Illinois.
Rosie followed in her big sisters’ paws to become an attraction with photos, blogs and a Facebook page dedicated to her! Rose is an adorable fawn Shar-pei from the Grand Champion Underdog line. She has very quickly become a confident and loyal member of the Gallery team and loving addition to the Woodward family. Puppy photos of Rose have reached star status on social media already. You can follow her daily adventures on Instagram @sharpeirose.
Betty and Rose look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to Woodward Gallery!