Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif. -Koffman Gallery, Art With A Smile announces the exhibit opening of The "LisaKoff" Collection, paintings created collaboratively by artist and gallery owner Dan Koffman and his painting partner Lisa, a gentle, intelligent 17-year-old African elephant.

"Lisa and I paint together to demonstrate how humans and animals can work cooperatively towards a common goal, achieving deeper respect and understanding," Koffman says. "Just imagine what might happen if people set aside their differences and did the same."

In a unique inter-species collaboration, Lisa and Koffman have created paintings with names such as Kilamanjaro and Hot Trumpet. First Koffman paints the canvases with soft colors, then Lisa adds her bold strokes, creating a composition of contrasts - soft and bold, human and elephant.

Lisa and Koffman will paint together publicly for the first time on Saturday, April 17th, noon to 4 p.m., at Koffman Gallery, 210 Alvarado Street, downtown Monterey (adjacent to the DoubleTree Hotel). Also on exhibit for the first time will be Koffman's "Elephants with a Smile" Collection.

"I hope to introduce Lisa to many new friends and help her expand the foundation of understanding and cooperation between humans and animals," Koffman says.

All proceeds from the sale of "LisaKoff" original paintings and limited editions of 25 each will benefit E.A.R.S. (Elephants of Africa Rescue Society), a 501(C)3 non-profit which supports the good work of people working on behalf of elephants.

This very odd couple has a deep connection going back to 1987, the year of Lisa's birth in Africa and the year Koffman founded his international peace effort, The Flag of Peace and Freedom. Their story is chronicled in Koffman's book, The Man and the Elephant, which will be introduced at the event and given free with every $10 donation to E.A.R.S.

Koffman believes that animals like Lisa provide an opportunity for people to be exposed to the majesty and beauty of creatures from other lands, increasing our understanding of the challenges facing wild animals and what we can do to help them.

"Lisa is an unmistakable reminder that we live in a world worth saving - for humans and elephants!" says Koffman.

Lisa lives at Wild Things in Salinas where owner Charlie Sammut is dedicated to ensuring that animals in captivity (and most especially elephants) are treated with the highest respect and regard. Trunks up!

For more information, please visit: www.artwithasmile.com; www.themanandtheelephant.com; www.elephantears.org; and www.wildthingsinc.com.