FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                              July 20, 2012

CONTACTS:  Tara Henson – (405) 425-0219 / O, (405) 919-9038 / C or thenson@okczoo.com

Candice Rennels – (405) 425-0298 / O, (405) 412-6172 / C or crennels@okczoo.com

OKC ZOO TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL ART GONE WILD ANIMAL ART SHOW

With their paws, claws, noses and even lips; many of the animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo have been creating new masterpieces for this year’s Art Gone Wild art show.

The Oklahoma City Zoo will be hosting its third annual “Art Gone Wild: Paintings by OKC Zoo Animals” art show at the In Your Eye Studio and Gallery (3005A Paseo, Oklahoma City 73103) in the historic Paseo Arts District showcasing original art by our own animal artists.  The show opens to the public on Friday, August 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. and will be on exhibit at In Your Eye through September 2. Gallery hours are Thursday–Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Each work of art has been made especially for the show by the Zoo’s talented residents, with some help from their caregivers. Art by zoo animals is part of the ‘animal enrichment' process of providing a stimulating environment that addresses an animal's social, psychological and physical needs. Techniques vary by animal; some use a brush while others enjoy rolling in, slithering through or spraying paint onto their canvases. Creating art is safe for the animals; the paints are non-toxic and washable. New art is continuously added to the show as our animals get creative. 

This exhibition allows guests a rare opportunity to view and purchase these one-of-a-kind works of art. All proceeds benefit the Zoo’s conservation projects. This year 50% of the proceeds will support okapi conservation. The Zoo will be sending funds to The Okapi Wildlife Reserve near the village of Epulu in the Democratic Republic of Congo which came under attack on June 24. Seven citizens and fourteen okapis were killed in the raid. Okapis are extremely endangered and though they have physical similarities to zebras they are more closely related to giraffes. The Zoo is home to four okapis. We hope you will join us in this effort to support an organization fighting against all odds to protect the wildlife we love. 

A special thanks to Wyman Frame & Supply, a division of Dale Rogers Training Center for their support of Art Gone Wild.

Come see the show and purchase a painting for a purpose: animal conservation. The Oklahoma City Zoo is Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and one of the top three zoos in the country as named in the 2012 10Besties Readers' Choice Travel Awards! To learn more about Art Gone Wild and other zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com. Become a Zoo fan at www.facebook.com/okczoobg or follow us on Twitter @okczoo.

-okczoo.com-

Editor’s Note: For information about In Your Eye Gallery or artists, please contact Gayle Curry at (405) 205-8990 or info@inyoureyegallery.com or click here to visit the art gallery's website.