Ghandi stated  and I quote, ”

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

The Art World has come together in a big way to support one of their own, Pockets Warhol, a little capuchin monkey who loves to paint. Pockets is rated number 8 in the world of Animal Painters and while his artwork graces the homes and offices of the likes of Ricky Gervais, Dr.Jane Goodall, Olivia Hussey, Derek Miller, Esther the Wonder Pig, Derek Barry, Seth (Wear Yellow for Seth from the Bubble Foundation, UK) and the Fauna Foundation, Rich Cruse, Ambassador for Oprah Winfrey, it is his relationship with one of Canada’s most famous Artists and a Recipient of The Order of Canada, Anita Kunz who has gathered her friends near and far to support the monkeys who call Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary their home. Charmaine Quinn who has worked with primates from Borneo to Belize and now in Canada is very clear that monkeys do not make good pets. They are wild animals whose strength could easily hurt a human, not to mention their bites can cause disease. This does not mean that they don’t deserve to be saved, they just need to be treated like the Monkey they are.  Please go to www.storybookmonkeys.org and Click on the EVENTS page to find out more about Thursdays ART BENEFIT  FUNDRAISER for Story Book Farm. Even if you can’t go, purchase your tickets to help support this incredible sanctuary.  This is the ONLY PLACE IN CANADA where these Monkeys can go to live their lives free of trauma and stress.

There are currently 19 Primates living at the Sanctuary and with a life span upwards of 45 years, these monkeys need a long term care plan. Many have come from laboratories, some were kept caged in tiny compartments. Regardless of their background, a team of Volunteers work hard to make sure they are living out their lives in peace, trauma free.

Among the 19  primates living on the farm, two might be called infamous – There’s  Darwin, also known as the IKEA Monkey and the already aforementioned, POCKETS WARHOL!

Charmaine is a long time Volunteer of the Sanctuary and Pocket’s Art Muse. It was Charmaine who first encouraged him to paint and it seems, that he will only paint with her by his side. Anita Kunz is a well known Canadian artist who fell in love with Pockets after a visit to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary and now they have collaborated on a number of pieces of art. Anita has produced cover art for many publications including Rolling Stone Magazine, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine, Newsweek Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly and The New York Times Magazine. She has also illustrated more than fifty book jacket covers and her work is on permanent display at several museums around the world.

Pockets Warhol is a Philanthropist as well as Painter and on Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 pm at The Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills in Toronto, a Benefit Art Show will be held to raise funds for Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary which relies totally on donations for funding. All are welcome to attend this amazing event so make sure you get out to purchase and view some incredible art.
Anita Kunz is responsible for encouraging 80 renowned artists to DONATE over 100 pieces of art to be sold at this event. The artwork Pockets is holding is a collaboration he painted with Anita.
The famous and celebrated artists include Fear and Loathing artist Ralph Steadman (UK), cartoonist Terry Mosher / Aislin (Canada), artist, playwright and performer Cynthia von Buhler (NY), multiple TIME magazine cover artist Tim O’Brien, artist and animal rights activist Sue Coe (NY), brilliant New Yorker cover artist Barry Blitt (NY) , artist and photographer Yuri Dojc (Toronto) and, of course, Anita Kunz.
Anita Kunz, whose illustrations have been published on the covers of Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Time and countless other publications.