Animal sculptures migrate back to zoo
New York artist Tom Otterness was in San Jose this week for the reinstallation of “Another World,” the collection of bronze sculptures he made to adorn the entrance plaza at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.
You might remember that the anthropomorphic animals — some are riding cars, others are eating money and a few are just hanging out like their reallife counterparts would — were part of Happy Hollow’s grand reopening back in 2010. But the whimsical art pieces were removed in 2014 because animals migrate back to their home. The return was celebrated with a reception Tuesday at the Hotel De Anza for Otterness, who was joined by Michael Ogilvie, San Jose’s new public art director; Mary Rubin, the project manager for the city; Happy Hollow Foundation Executive Director Heather Lerner and several members of the foundation’s board and the city’s arts commission.
“We were patient and worked through a variety of different design challenges in a very thoughtful way, and the outcome really has been so positive,” said Kerry Adams-Hapner, San Jose’s director of cultural affairs. “It’s really an amazing installation, and it’s one of the best works in our public art collection.”
DOUBLE THE FUN: Leslee Guardino was a little worried when she heard that the San Jose Police Foundation was having a “celebrity bartender” event Wednesday the same night her company, Canyon Snow Consulting, was having its spring mixer. The timing turned out to be perfect, though, as both events were at the Silicon Valley Capital Club in downtown San Jose — and each seemed to get an attendance boost from the other.
I was at the Police Foundation event serving wine, beer and juices alongside former Shark Owen Nolan and San Jose city councilmen Don Rocha, Raul Peralez and Sergio Jimenez. That event started clearing out around 7:30 p.m. but dozens of people just migrated down the hall to Canyon Snow’s event. “We might have to make sure we tie them together next year,” Guardino said.
INTO THE WILD: Jena Sorrells, the manager of San Jose Family Camp at Yosemite, will be the speaker at next Wednesday’s Words from Women of Wisdom series at the San Jose Woman’s
Club. Since her arrival in 2014, Sorrells has been driving a new vision for Family Camp— which holds fond memories for generations of San Jose residents. And with a background as a zookeeper and wildlife education, part of that is finding ways to connect women and families to the wild. Her 6 p.m. talk is expected to include a couple of visitors from Family Camp’s animal program. Get more details and buy tickets at wordsfromwomen.eventbrite.com.
Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@ bayareanewsgroup.com.