KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Knoxville Zoo is gearing up for its annual fundraising dinner Zoofari to be held Saturday, June 7. As the committee prepares for the event and gathers items for both the silent and live auctions, a familiar friend to Knoxville Zoo lends a hand.

Knoxville artist, 80-year-old, Alexander Dumas, has donated two paintings to be sold at Zoofari this year. Dumas and his wife, Jeannette, have been visiting the red pandas at Knoxville Zoo since 1995. Their love for the red panda has inspired Dumas to create the paintings in honor of this beautiful creature.
           
The painting titled "Loving Hands," is a watercolor depicting the hands of Sarah Glass, red panda curator at Knoxville Zoo, as she holds a set of red panda twins. The other painting titled "Out on a Limb," is an oil painting of a red panda against a dark background, highlighting the coloring of this amazing animal.

Knoxville Zoo is pleased to share the artistry of Dumas with guests of Zoofari. Dumas donated the two paintings to Knoxville Zoo in honor of Jeannette, his wife of 22 years.

"We are proud to have talented volunteers and donors who help us each year with Zoofari," said Jim Vlna, executive director of Knoxville Zoo. "We are honored these special artists, like Mr. Dumas, choose to share their creativity and artistic abilities with us."

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392A from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.