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What do dogs, dragons, and gargoyles have in common? They all inspire Victor Bell, a New Jersey artist bringing a whimsical new kind of guardian to Garden State businesses through the Dogoyle Project. The hand-sculpted ceramic creatures are popping up at coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, and community spaces throughout Jersey City, each designed to celebrate the people and places that make the city unique. Beyond their playful appearance, the sculptures also raise awareness for WISE Animal Rescue and have a fun HG connection. Keep reading to learn more about the project and where you can find these hand-sculpted pups.
The Dogoyle Project
According to Victor, a Dogoyle is a magical combination of a dog, dragon, and gargoyle. Inspired by the traditional gargoyle’s role as a protective guardian, the sculptures represent the comfort, safety, and sense of belonging associated with man’s best friend. Now in its second year, the Dogoyle Project places these sculptures at independently owned businesses and community spaces. Each sculpture is inspired by its host location, with the goal of celebrating the neighborhood spots where people gather, connect, and make memories. Each sculpture takes more than 20 hours to create, and Victor’s long-term goal is to turn the Dogoyle Project into a statewide scavenger hunt highlighting local businesses and places worth visiting.
The project began in Princeton in 2025, where Victor created 12 Dogoyles for small businesses to raise awareness for SAVE, an animal rescue organization. After moving to Jersey City, he brought the project with him, supported by a Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund Individual Artist Grant. This year’s sculptures sit atop ceramic miniatures of their host buildings, celebrating the architecture and character of the city while raising awareness for Hudson County’s WISE Animal Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to dog welfare.
The sculptures and their mission are especially fitting, as Victor’s journey into ceramics began with his own rescue dog, Penny. After adopting her in 2018, he started sketching her during their walks through the woods. Those early drawings eventually inspired his first ceramic dog sculpture in late 2022.
Read More: Animal Shelters + Rescue Organizations to Support in New Jersey
Where to Find the Dogoyles in Jersey City
The Jersey City series currently includes seven local businesses and community spaces with sculptures at various stages of completion. Here’s where to find them:
ARTS 14C | 157 B 1st Street (To be Sculpted)
A creative space offering live/work programs for artists building their careers, 14C is another part of Jersey City’s growing arts community. Its future Dogoyle will feature animals who actually live at the space.
Àbákẹ́ Books and Cafe | 2 Webster Avenue (Installed)
Photo Credit: Victor Bell
Titled “To Be Loved,” this is the first Dogoyle in the Jersey City series. Victor chose the cafe because he lived in the building and watched it open its doors and become a much-needed third space for the neighborhood. The sculpture features Honey, a rescue dog who often visits with her mom.
Barrow Mansion | 83 Wayne Street (In Progress)
Photo Credit: Victor Bell
Barrow Mansion’s Dogoyle features The Hoboken Girl founder Jen’s dog, Ziggy, lounging on the roof alongside a pile of toys.
Dutch’s Xpress Sandwich Shop | 270 Grand Street (To be Sculpted)
Named after the owner’s late English Bulldog, Dutch’s sandwich shop is expanding across Hudson County. Its new Jersey City location, Dutch’s Xpress, will eventually have its own Dogoyle featuring Dutch himself.
ElevatOr | 135 Erie Street (To be Sculpted)
This dog-friendly historic building offers studio space, programming, and events for the local creative community. Its future sculpture will feature some of the dogs who regularly visit the building.
See More: Barknic 2026 Recap + How to Support Wise Animal Rescue
Meow Mini Mart | 57 Congress Street (Finished, to be Hung)
This sculpture features Victor’s own kitten, Hobo-Ken, who was found last October weighing just one pound at six weeks old. After rescuing the kitten, Victor turned to Meow Mini Mart, a cat-focused pet store that helped introduce him to the world of feline care.
The Cliff | 38 Congress Street (Finished, to be Hung)
Photo Credit: Victor Bell
The Dogoyle for The Cliff features Biggie, the beloved dog of owner Eva, perched atop a miniature version of the restaurant’s historic facade.
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