This holiday season, creativity and wildlife converge in a large display of artistry and imagination at the Great Plains Zoo Creative Creatures Art Show.
The innovative event invites artists to showcase their talents while celebrating the diverse and awe-inspiring creatures that inhabit the planet.
“I believe the Creative Creature Art Show allows us to bridge the gap between our wild world and our community,” shared Denise DePaolo, PR and marketing director of the Great Plains Zoo.
The annual art showcase is curated by Untitled.10. The visual arts organization introduces selected artists’ work to the public, combining the world of art and creatures.
The Creative Creature Art Show was introduced in 2022, says DePaolo. The winter pop-up spanned across the zoo, turning three separate animal viewing areas into galleries.
The snow monkey viewing area featured paintings by Amanda Boerger, while the Asian cat viewing room featured an installation of sculptures by Cameron Stalheim.
A group of local artists displayed their work alongside art students in the Komodo dragon enclosure, all with the theme of animals and nature in common.
Throughout the night, guests enjoyed a wild, wondrous walk under the stars. The zoo was carefully decorated with twinkling holiday lights and nature-inspired imagery.
“The Creative Creatures Art Show was created for our community not only to be engaged with the zoo, but with art,” said DePaolo.
As a way to commemorate the event, guests were encouraged to capture their visit with a photo in front of a mini mural created by local muralist Jenae Porter.
“Untitled.10 has been an amazing force in our Sioux Falls art scene, so we want to ensure that we’re giving them the recognition they deserve.” -Denise depaolo
“Our first event showcased a fresh and exciting way to bring art into the zoo,” enthused DePaolo. “It was a fun experience for our curators as well, as it was a challenge to bring art into some different spaces you normally would not see it in.”
For the second annual art show, DePaolo explains they wanted to capture the identical theme and focus but evolve it into something for everyone.
“This year we’re trying out something during the day that’s more family-friendly and kids-focused,” she said. “But at the end of the day, we’re bringing beautiful local art into our space, and we strive for it to be in a place where the community can enjoy it.”
Following the closure of the Delbridge Museum of Natural History, DePaolo and the zoo staff began brainstorming themes for this year’s show.
“We don’t have a large museum space to work with, so we thought now we have a large white wall, why wouldn’t we make it beautiful?” shared DePaolo. “We look at it every day and our guests are encountering it, so let’s create something amazing.”
On November 25, Untitled.10 and their nine selected artists will create nine individual pieces that will decorate the wall separating what once was the museum and the lobby.
Each artist has the opportunity to choose from a list of 25 varying species that inhabit the Great Plains Zoo year-round. DePaolo says the artist can choose the one that resonates with them most, and curate an original art piece based on the animal.
“It won’t necessarily be a painting of that specific animal, but inspired by it,” explained DePaolo. “It allows the artist to have creative license.”
The public is invited to view the artists in action ahead of the show, while kids can venture into the classroom to partake in their own art projects.
“There will be a large banner that kids can help color in; their own mural they get to work on,” said DePaolo.
“For a lot of artists, animals are a source of inspiration, so the zoo is a natural place where we can display their work.” -denise depaolo
The colorfully decorated banner will be on display at the grand opening of the upcoming lion exhibit.
“I love the idea of closing that loop, letting the kids work on something. Coming to visit the lions, and then seeing their artwork on the banner is exciting,” mused DePaolo.
The Creative Creatures Art Show is more than just an exhibition of artistic talent; it’s a platform for highlighting the importance of recent wildlife conservation.
“During the event, we’ll have a table out to learn all about our black-footed ferret conservation work that we’ve been doing,” shared DePaolo.
Throughout this year, members of the Great Plains Zoo have traveled to Lower Brule and Wind Cave National Park to seek out wild ferrets. Once spotted, the team safely live taps them, then ensures they have vaccines and microchips to help keep track of the population.
“The black-footed ferret was once believed to be extinct,” declared DePaolo. “They’re a crucial part of our prairie ecosystem. With this conservation effort, we’re able to keep an eye on that population, how they’re doing, and be able to identify what individual animal has been treated and vaccinated.”
The Great Plains Zoo team has been lucky to have found an ample amount of wild ferrets this fall, and now they’re able to continue ensuring the health of the ferret population.
Upon completion of the mural, a big unveiling will take place. While guests are able to watch artists in action, DePaolo says seeing the mural as one will create a large impact.
Every year, the Creative Creatures Art Show will continue to evolve, but the inspiring message will remain the same.
Save the Date:
Creative Creatures Art Show | Great Plains Zoo | November 25 | 1 – 4 p.m.
“Artists are inspired by the natural world and in turn, we’re inspired by their work,” explained DePaolo. “When we view an interesting painting or image of an animal, it’s only going to enhance our connection to the animal and the conservation efforts of them in the wild.”
She continued, “I hope our guests leave with an enhanced love of conservation, wild animals, and species, but I also hope they obtain a greater appreciation for the amazing artists in our community.”
