Philadelphia Zoo And PAFA Pick A Winner

By Bill I. Larson 

Philadelphia, PA - On Thursday, January 15, 2009, judges from the Philadelphia Zoo and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) - both firsts of their kind in the nation - joined together yesterday to unveil the winner of a PAFA student competition to create commemorative poster artwork celebrating the Zoo’s 150th anniversary. The winning image, entitled “Awareness,” created by student artist Caitlin Fennelly, was selected from artwork by eligible second, third, and fourth-year students. The competition leads up to the Philadelphia Zoo’s exciting 150th anniversary year, commencing “Sesquicentennial Saturday,” March 21, 2009. Attendees included members of the Board of Directors from each organization as well as key members of the Zoo’s sesquicentennial committee.

There were no restrictions on media but the artwork and the image were to reflect one or more endangered animal species from a list provided by the Zoo.

“This partnership was an extraordinary way for our organizations to work together as we get ready to celebrate our 150th anniversary,” said Philadelphia Zoo President and CEO Vik Dewan. “This poster is just one way that people from all over the region can connect to conservation, wildlife and the environment we share through art, the Zoo and through both of our organizations.”

PAFA and the Philadelphia Zoo have an already existing relationship as the Zoo makes resources available to the Academy for its animal drawing classes. Zoo President Dewan originated the idea of a poster contest for PAFA’s students and presented it to the Academy’s Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jeffrey Carr, and Painting Department Chair, Al Gury. A plan for a student internship at the Zoo is also under consideration. 

For Gury, the contest “touches on PAFA’s longstanding history of artists producing artwork depicting animals. This adds to the connection between the tradition of Thomas Eakins’ animal drawing classes and the Academy’s ongoing relationship with the Philadelphia Zoo. It’s exciting to see this association continue to grow.”

The deadline for submission was Monday, December 15, and judging took place on Thursday, December 18 at 4:00 p.m. in PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building. Judges from PAFA included Carr, Gury, and PAFA faculty member Peter Van Dyck. Representatives from the Philadelphia Zoo included Dewan, Board Chair Jerry Calvert, Board Member Susan Sherman, and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Animal Programs Andy Baker.

The Zoo will exhibit all of the students’ contest entries at its “Sesquicentennial Saturday” celebration on March 21, with all the contributing artists given one-year Zoo memberships.

About America’s First Zoo:
 
Philadelphia Zoo, America's First Zoo, is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, the Zoo is currently home to over 1,300 animals from around the world, many rare and endangered. Welcoming more than one million visitors each year from throughout the region and beyond, the Zoo serves children and families as a unique and engaging public resource for wildlife conservation and education. The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For more information, including 150th Anniversary Fun Facts updated daily, or to purchase and print tickets online, visit www.philadelphiazoo.org.

About the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA):

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first school of fine arts and museum.  A recipient of the 2005 National Medal of Arts presented by the President of the United States of America, PAFA is a recognized leader in fine arts education.  Nearly every major American artist has taught, studied, or exhibited at the Academy. The institution's world-class collection of American art continues to grow and provides what only a few other art institutions in the world offer: the rare combination of an outstanding museum and an extraordinary faculty known for its commitment to students and for the stature and quality of its artistic work.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Academy is located at 118-128 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia. Admission to the Permanent Collection is Adults $10, Seniors & Students with I.D. $8, Youth ages 5-18, $6. Admission to Special Exhibitions (includes Permanent Collection) is Adults $15, Seniors & Students with I.D. $12, Youth Ages 5-18, $8. Admission is free for members and children under age of 5. Admission to Morris Gallery exhibitions is free.

Photo Captions: 

Photo #1 - The winning image, entitled “Awareness,” created by student artist Caitlin Fennelly, was selected from artwork by eligible second, third, and fourth-year students.   The competition leads up to the Philadelphia Zoo’s exciting 150th anniversary year, commencing “Sesquicentennial Saturday,” March 21, 2009.

Photo #2 - Judges from the Philadelphia Zoo and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) - both firsts of their kind in the nation - joined together yesterday to unveil the winner of a PAFA student competition to create commemorative poster artwork celebrating the Zoo’s 150th anniversary. The winning image, entitled “Awareness,” created by student artist Caitlin Fennelly, was selected from artwork by eligible second, third, and fourth-year students.   The competition leads up to the Philadelphia Zoo’s exciting 150th anniversary year, commencing “Sesquicentennial Saturday,” March 21, 2009. Judges included (l to r): Susan Sherman, Philadelphia Zoo Board member;  Al Gury, PAFA Painting Department Chair;  Jeffrey Carr, PAFA Senior Vice-President of Academic Affairs;  Dr, Andrew J. Baker, Zoo Chief Operating Officer; Vikram H. Dewan, Zoo President and CEO; Peter Van Dyck, PAFA Faculty (Drawing and Painting);  and Jay H. Calvert, Jr., Esq.,  the Zoo's Chairman of the Board.