ANIMAL CRACKERS Animals All Around by Mary Erickson, Ph.D.

An amazing variety of wild animals live in the many diverse natural environments around the world. Photographed at the Sea Life ArizonaPhotographed at the Phoenix Zoo

Is there a wild animal from somewhere around the world that fascinates you? What makes it interesting to you? Photographed at the Phoenix Zoo

The Desert Southwest has its own wild animals.

What is your favorite desert animal? Why do you like it? Photographed at the Phoenix Zoo

Other animals live where they do only because of their relationships with people. People raise animals for food, use them to do work and keep them as companions.

Think of a time you played with a pet animal or were around a farm or ranch animal. Describe the animal.

Throughout history, people have chosen animals as subject matter. Artists combined simple shapes to make the eagle, mountain sheep and insects. Tlingit Totem Pole, SeattleAnasazi Petroglyph, Monument Valley San Xavier del Bac, Wall Painting Tucson

People have made animal-shaped toys and decorated everyday objects with images of animals.

People have even made food in the shape of animals.

The Animal Crackers exhibition at the Tempe Center for the Arts shows how contemporary artists use animals as subject matter in art. Joe Ray, Cuervo con Coffee, monoprint Jasen Evoy, Conflict of Interest, ceramics