Want a painting by ‘the Picasso of the bear world’? Folsom zoo is auctioning art
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- Folsom Zoo features rescued animals' artwork at Gallery at 48 Natoma through August 13.
- Proceeds from art sales will support zoo operations and animal care initiatives.
- Exhibit highlights zoo's mission of education, conservation and local wildlife aid.
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is hosting an exhibition featuring artwork from its rescued wildlife this summer at the Gallery at 48 Natoma.
The paintings created by Folsom City’s animal artists will be on display until August 13. Sherry Richter, the president of the Docent Council of Folsom Zoo, said funds raised from selling the work will go back to the facility. The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, located at 403 Stafford St., houses about 100 animals, according to the Friends of Folsom Zoo.
“The animals at the zoo have been really busy working on their portfolio for their upcoming art show at the art gallery next door,” Richter said during a Folsom City Council meeting last week.
Richter, who is also a member of Friends of Folsom Zoo, said animals like Henry, an American Black Bear, took part in creating the artwork on display.
“He’s probably the Picasso of the bear world,” Richter said. “Just about every animal in the zoo has worked hard with some kind of artwork that will be displayed.”
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary focuses on providing animal education for Folsom residents, according to its mission statement. The zoo seeks to assist in the “preservation of ecosystems through conservation and education is included in zoo programs.”
The zoo puts an “educational emphasis” on animals local to the Folsom, Central Valley and Sierra Nevada region. The organization also partners with other clinics and wildlife care groups to help injured wildlife, according to Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary.
What is the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary?
The year was 1963, and Smokey the bear cub needed a home. Having been orphaned and losing his home in a forest fire, Smokey was rescued by UC Davis, according to the city of Folsom. The university later contacted Folsom Park Superintendent Gordon Brong for help.
Brong was already housing deer and a coyote nearby the park’s office and eventually convinced the city of Folsom to acquire more space for Smokey.
“From that time forward, the Folsom Zoo has been a safe haven for many rescued animals,” according to the website.
Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary makes up five acres with a volunteer program of more than 250 residents, according to the facility’s master plan. The animals living at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary are rescued locally or across California
These animals are usually seized from private parties or rescued from the Folsom area. All of them have conditions that prevent them from returning to the wild, according to Friends of the Folsom Zoo.
In May, the Folsom City Council increased the admission fee from $7 to $10. A report from the Folsom City Council shows that this fee increase could raise revenue to the city up to $250,000.
The zoo animal’s artwork can be seen at the Gallery at 48 Natoma on Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m.
