Zoo animals paint! Create jewelry!Come to their first gallery show!

Timu, a Black Rhino, practicing her art...

The Racine Zoo and Monfort’s Fine Art Gallery will host their first-ever animal art gallery showing and silent auction on Thursday, May 15, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Monfort’s Fine Art Gallery, 430 Main St.

The show is titled Animal Artisans: A Gallery Showing and features artwork in various mediums including beaded jewelry created by Max, one of the Zoo’s orangutans, paintings from many of the Racine Zoo’s animals including Timu, a black rhino, as well as penguins, monkeys and tigers, and a paw print drawing by Kolmaya, an Amur Tiger.

...Jennifer Hoyum holds Timu's finished painting

“We are thrilled to host this event for the Racine community,” said Jennifer Hoyum of Monfort’s. “Rarely does an opportunity so unique present itself – we are confident both the art community and the wildlife lovers in the area will come out to support this fundraiser for the Zoo.”

This free-admission silent auction features a wine tasting presented by Timer’s Beverage Center and hors d’oeuvres, as well a painting demonstration by Stinky, the Racine Zoo’s Animal Ambassador skunk (who promises to be on his best behavior). A raffle for a “commissioned” painting by a Zoo animal in the colors of the winner’s choosing will also highlight the event. This necklace was made by Max, the Zoo's Orangutan.

“We are pleased to host an event such as this in Racine," said Jay Christie, Racine Zoo president and CEO. "While many large zoos in large metro markets will auction or sell animal paintings, the only other zoo that hosts a gallery showing of animal art, that I know of, is in Houston. We hope Racine will support this unique event. We have made it a free event, in hopes that people bid high and bid often.”

For more information on Animal Artisans and other Zoo events and programs, including Racine Zoo Summer Camp, visit www.racinezoo.org or call 262.636.9189.

The Racine Zoo is open daily. Hours between Labor Day and Memorial Day are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The mission of the Racine Zoological Society is to foster an enlightening and affordable wildlife experience that improves the bond between people and nature. The Society will provide for the recreation and education of the people, the conservation of wildlife and wild places, and the advancement of science.

And for those non-believers among you, who think Jay Christie painted the artwork to be auctioned off (as if!), here's an incredible video of an elephant -- not from Racine -- painting a self-portrait: