ORANGeUTAhN Art Show (Paintings by Orangutans) Exhibit @ Hogle Zoo (SLC: July 15 - Aug 28)

ORANGeUTAhN Art Show Features Hogle Zoo Residents

or more information contact:
Lindsey Sine
435-602-9702 lsine@hoglezoo.org

MEDIA NOTE:
Great Ape Keeper Bobbi Gordon and the orangutans will be available to media Wednesday, July 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hogle Zoo. The zoo can also provide b-roll footage of the orangutans painting if requested. For more information contact Lindsey Sine at 435-602-9702

SALT LAKE CITY (July 13) - In an effort to enrich both the lives of its residents, as well as those in the wild, Utah's Hogle Zoo has encouraged its orangutans to put paint to canvas for the 2010 ORANGeUTAhN Art Show - a benefit in which the sale of Orangutan-created art will go toward conservation efforts for the species in Indonesia.

Hogle Zoo's Orangutans Talukan, Elijah, Eve and Acara regularly paint as part of daily enrichment exercises, and now some of their art will be sold in a silent auction at the Anderson-Foothill Library on Thursday, July 15 from 6-8:30 p.m to benefit the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project (KOCP).

"Painting is a great activity for the orangutans as it provides an outlet of expression allowing them to show off their personalities. It also empowers them to be representatives for a cause that positively affects their species in the wild," Great Ape Keeper Bobbi Gordon said. "In a huge way, our orangutans are bringing attention to the need for their species to be safeguarded in the wild and we hope the art will help to aid that mission."

Adding to the depth of the art pieces are local Utah artists who have collaborated with the orangutans to create some multi-artist masterpieces. Among the featured artists are Lucia Heffernan, Eddy Del Rio, Joseph Ostraff, Ben Benedict, Tammy Orton, David Meikle, Michael Nordenstrom, Ben Wiemeyer, David Costa and John Collins.

Researchers believe that at the current rate of rainforest destruction, the wild orangutans could be extinct in the next 10 years. However, Hogle Zoo hopes that by teaming up with KOCP and hosting this unique art show and fund raiser, we will increase public awareness regarding the plight of orangutans, as well as raise funds to aid in providing safe habitat for wild orangutans.

The art show is open to the public and will run through August 28. The silent auction will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday. The art can be viewed in person, or at www.hoglezoo.org. Any art not sold the night of the auction will be available for purchase online after the 15th.