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 [email protected] or click here to visit the art gallery's website. 

The Zoo is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums (AAM) as both a living museum and a botanical garden.  AZA accredited facilities are dedicated to providing excellent care for their plants and animals, a great experience for guests and a better future for all living things. 

A New Breath of Fresh Air: As of Nov. 1, 2007, state law prohibits smoking inside zoological parks.  Please help us abide by this law by refraining from smoking within the Zoo.  Thank you for maintaining a smoke-free environment for all living things!