Fine Art

"Just Visiting"

"Party Animals" is the largest public art project held in the history of the District of Columbia. From more than 1,050 submissions, 200 designs were selected to be created (100 donkeys and 100 elephants). On April 23, 2002, Mayor Anthony Williams and First Lady Laura Bush unveiled a donkey and an elephant to launch the animals arrival on the city streets. Pictured, above left, is "Just Visiting" (created by Mary Fran Miklitsch of Perspective Design Group) and, above right, is "America the Beautiful" by D.C. artist Di Stovall.

In late October, 40 of the large animals and 19 maquettes were auctioned in a live auction. The proceeds went to the D.C. Commission on the Arts for grants for artists and arts education. "Just Visiting" (full size) brought in $6500; the maquette version brought in $2100.

Click here to learn more about the project.

Photos courtesy of D.C. Commission on the Arts.