If you have the CSNW 2019 calendar, you get to look at this beautiful photo of Negra all month long:
You’ll also notice (or may already know) that we celebrate Negra’s honorary birthday on June 13th, the anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
Negra remains the eldest of the group of seven chimpanzees. She dominated our thoughts as we were preparing the sanctuary for the group’s arrival. She had spent the most time in biomedical research and had suffered perhaps more than any of the other chimpanzees, showing the signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder upon her arrival.
We were excited to see all of the chimpanzees fully realize their new sanctuary life, but I for one could not stop thinking about being able to witness Negra experience all of the new comforts, choices, and space at the sanctuary. This video of her in the playroom for the first time captured what will forever be one of my most cherished moments.
The expression on her face today in this photo reminded me of the video:
Which of course led me to think of the most iconic image of Negra that we have: Negra in the Sun
This is the original photo I took in 2008:
Then artist Margaret H. Parkinson created this breathtaking painting based on the photo:
Margaret’s painting then inspired other artists, most recently mosaic artist Lisa Whatne.
Here is a close-up of Lisa’s truly stunning piece:
And guess what!? The Negra in the Sun mosaic is available for bidding in the HOOT! 2019 gala auction on June 15th! Even those who are not able to make it to the event can place an absentee bid on this mosaic as well as most of the other items in the auction! Absentee bidding begins Monday, June 10th at 8:00 a.m. See all items on the auction preview site now (items are still being added).
I can’t wait to find out who the lucky winner of the mosaic is going to be!
