Take a mountain of Spam. Slice it up a bit. Put on your creative lenses, and what do you get?

Mostly a mess, but sometimes a unique sculpture arises out of the meatlike substance. For Jennifer Boc, last Saturday's Spam-carving contest at the Española Valley Humane Society's Hootenanny produced a remarkable likeness of Truffles, the shelter's honorary kissing pig.

It would be hard to pick a highlight of the shelter's annual masquerade party, but there are few things that beat the majestic beauty of Spam-carving, said Nina Chiotasso, who handles the shelter's community relations. That's pretty easy to say for someone dressed up like a Christmas tree, complete with ornaments and flashing lights.

Chiotasso was perhaps one of the more understated of the 300 or so attending the bash at El Cultural. While many channeled their inner country bumpkin — not hard to do with 100 hay bales decorating the building — there were quite a few "celebrities," including Michael Jackson and Cher. The tastefully attired "A-listers" were mostly thanks to Wenda Watch and her troupe of drag queens, Chiotasso said, who brought just the right amount of glitz and glamour to the party, not to mention an exciting game of bingo.

But the wild variety of characters didn't stop with Hollywood tinsel. The crowd was filled with pirates, zombies, nuns, sumo wrestlers, vampires, cats and plenty of farmers and cowgirls.

"People really got into it," Chiotasso said, noting that age of the revelers spanned from 4 to in the 70s. "You could tell they put some time and effort into their costumes."

While the exuberance was up — and who wouldn't love a chance to dive into the samplings of Furr's cafeteria, which catered the event — the "per giving" was a bit down based on last year's party. That was expected, Chiotasso said, partly because of the downturn in the economy and the unique approach to a new audience.

Instead of hosting a silent or live auction, people had a chance to directly give to that aspect of the shelter's operations they felt most passionate about, Chiotasso said. Throughout the large space, tables or stations were set up that described the day-to-day operation of the shelter, from the low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic to the shelter's cat room and transfer program.

"The giving was something that people could do in their own way," she said, "from $1 to $1,000. People had their causes that they could donate to directly."

The shelter hoped to draw in about $20,000 from the event, and it ended up topping that amount by $5,000. Costs were minimal, Chiotasso said, thanks to the basic approach to the décor, food and the support of more than 70 volunteers. The Feed Bin, as one example, happily lent the hay bales for the party. Volunteers were still cleaning bits of straw out of the building on Tuesday.

And while the thrust of the Hootenanny was pure fun, people "got" what the shelter's mission is about, Chiotasso said. Festivities stopped for a bit while a short video of the shelter's work was shown. The video will eventually be posted on the shelter's Web site, www.evalleyshelter.org.

Naturally, the shelter's fundraising doesn't stop with one bash, no matter how unique. Bridget Lindquist, the shelter's executive director, said instead of relying on one major fundraiser, the shelter will be hosting unique events throughout the year.

In August, the shelter hosted successful fundraising concerts with baritone James Onstad at the Scottish Rite Center. The support of the center, coupled with the building's beauty, make a natural fit for December's holiday silent auction, Gifts for Good.

The Dec. 6 auction, which features certificates for dining, health, fitness, fashion and beauty, will also include one-of-a-kind elevated pet dishes personalized by artists and celebrities. The party will include appetizers.

General admission is $20, while a private viewing and artist reception costs $50. Tickets and a complete list of available items are available for viewing at the shelter's Web site or by calling 505-577-8739.

As for the Hootenanny, the party gave people an opportunity to let go, Chiotasso said, something that's not easy to do in these times. Chiotasso especially enjoyed a "gospel" number by Watch's group, which had everyone clapping.

There were a lot of new faces in the crowd, she noted, which helps to spread the word about the shelter. "I think people really understood our realities," she said, "what we face, and what we try to do for the good of the animals."