Not all artists have two hands, stand on two legs and paint with a brush. This week, the animals of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo are slithering and jumping into paint for the upcoming Art on the Wild Side fundraiser.

Tickets are on sale now for the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo's annual fundraiser, Art on the Wild Side. Funds raised during the annual event go to provide animal care and support conservation education programs throughout the community. This year there is a new item on the list to fundraise for.

"We are excited about this year's Art on the Wild Side this year," said Director of Development, Paula White. "This year our board of directors has chosen to designate a portion of those funds, which will probably be about $20,000, to put in reserves to help us bring another set of big cats to the zoo. We are hoping in the future to bring some baby tiger cubs or some cheetahs we have our eyes on."

White said having funds in reserve makes it easier to acquire animals that become available. Over the past year, the zoo has added a red river hog and ostriches.

"We are always looking to fill our exhibits and bring new things to the zoo so this fundraiser will really help us do that in addition to supporting the animals that are already there."

What's New

White said this year's auction has many novel items in addition to the animal-created art. New auction items include vacation packages, jewelry, golf outings and items from local businesses. But the biggest addition to this year's event is the upgraded VIP ticketholder experience.

"All of our VIPs will have some special extras like giraffe feeding and access to the entire zoo," White said. "For our general admission guests, we will have some new activities for them to do throughout the event. It is going to be a lot of fun."

What To Expect

Art on the Wild Side is an adult-only evening at the zoo that is reminiscent of an evening safari. The zoo's event space is transformed and guests enjoy live entertainment, delicious food from Alabama Coastal Catering, drinks and meet and greets with animal ambassadors.

Anyone wishing for a special experience can get VIP treatment simply by sponsoring the event. For as little as $500, VIP guests have full access to the zoo beginning at 5:30 p.m., giraffe feeding, keeper chats, exclusive hors d'oeuvres and drink stations.

The auction begins online the week before the event and opens March 16 but runs through the evening allowing event guests to see some of the auction items and bid. The auction is open to anyone including out-of-town bidders. The auction closes March 23 at 9 p.m.

Help the zoo reach its goal of $60,000. The event raised $55,000 in 2023.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a nonprofit organization. The support from Art on the Wild Side is critical to help provide care and enrichment to the over 300 animals that call the zoo home. It also helps the zoo provide conservation education programs that continue its mission of allowing people to engage with wildlife and hopefully influence them to protect the world around them.

Art on the Wild Side is March 23. General admission tickets are $125 per person and VIP tickets start at $500. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.

Access to the online auction begins March 16 and closes March 23, at 9 p.m.