{"id":204320,"date":"2025-09-06T06:39:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T06:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/204320\/"},"modified":"2025-09-06T06:39:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T06:39:18","slug":"elephant-sculptures-find-new-home-in-sonoma-sonoma-index-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/204320\/","title":{"rendered":"Elephant sculptures find new home in Sonoma \u2013 Sonoma Index-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"mng-gallery-initialized mng-gallery-slider\">\n<li data-index=\"1\" class=\"mng-ge mng-gallery-active\" id=\"mng-ge-0\" aria-hidden=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><img alt=\"As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMarigold\u201d is...\" class=\"size-article_inline\"  \/>\n<p>As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMarigold\u201d is placed at the Sonoma Community Center for permanent display, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Marigold is based on a living juvenile elephant in India. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"2\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TPD-L-kp0904_Elephant_04.jpg\" \/>\n<p>As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is moved to the front of the Sonoma Community Center for permanent display, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Moringa, is based on a living  elephant in India. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"3\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TPD-L-kp0904_Elephant_01.jpg\" \/>\n<p>As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is moved along East Napa Street in Sonoma, fronting the Sonoma Community Center for permanent display, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Moringa, is based on a living  elephant in India. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"4\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TPD-L-kp0904_Elephant_02.jpg\" \/>\n<p>As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is moved along East Napa Street in Sonoma, fronting the Sonoma Community Center, for permanent display, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Moringa, is based on a living  elephant in India. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"5\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TPD-L-kp0904_Elephant_05.jpg\" \/>\n<p>As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMoringa\u201d is moved to the front of the Sonoma Community Center for permanent display, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Moringa, is based on a living  elephant in India. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"6\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rosemary McNeely, of the Sonoma-based KHR McNeely Family Foundation, cuts...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3164-rotated.jpg\" \/>\n<p>Rosemary McNeely, of the Sonoma-based KHR McNeely Family Foundation, cuts a ribbon Thursday, Sept. 4, as part of a welcoming reception at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St. The reception was held to introduce two life-size elephant sculptures that are now permanently on display in the center&#8217;s garden. (Cat Smith \/ Sonoma Community Center)\n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"7\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Sonoma Community Center is set to welcome two life-size...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/98ae6451-4a7c-5844-8128-0f1ee48db6b9.jpg\" \/>\n<p>Sonoma Community Center<\/p>\n<p>The Sonoma Community Center is set to welcome two life-size elephant sculptures from the Great Elephant Migration Project, a national public art installation. \u201cMoringa\u201d and \u201cMarigold,\u201d based on a real mother elephant and her adolescent calf, will be on display permanently in the front garden of the center. (Sonoma Community Center)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"8\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Sonoma Community Center is set to welcome two life-size...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/27570919-71e1-5f1b-9aac-11816153d329.jpg\" \/>\n<p>Sonoma Community Center<\/p>\n<p>The Sonoma Community Center is set to welcome two life-size elephant sculptures from the Great Elephant Migration Project, a national public art installation. \u201cMoringa\u201d and \u201cMarigold,\u201d based on a real mother elephant and her adolescent calf, will be on display permanently in the front garden of the center. (Sonoma Community Center)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-index=\"9\" class=\"mng-ge\" id=\"mng-ge-8\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Sonoma Community Center is set to welcome two life-size...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4e42a8b4-d4a6-58a5-a767-2614b1966940.jpg\" \/>\n<p>Sonoma Community Center<\/p>\n<p>The Sonoma Community Center is set to welcome two life-size elephant sculptures from the Great Elephant Migration Project, a national public art installation. \u201cMoringa\u201d and \u201cMarigold,\u201d based on a real mother elephant and her adolescent calf, will be on display permanently in the front garden of the center. (Sonoma Community Center)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 9<\/p>\n<p>As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMarigold\u201d is placed at the Sonoma Community Center for permanent display, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Marigold is based on a living juvenile elephant in India. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Much fanfare greeted Thursday\u2019s arrival, installation and celebration of \u201cMoringa and Marigold,\u201d the two life-size elephant sculptures created in India\u2019s Nilgiri Hills, which will now be on permanent display in the gardens outside the Sonoma Community Center.<\/p>\n<p>A welcome reception Thursday evening at the center, 276 Napa St. in Sonoma, introduced the sculptures to the public.<\/p>\n<p>The figures are a gift from the Sonoma-based KHR McNeely Family Foundation.<\/p>\n<p>Rosemary McNeely, vice president and chief program officer of foundation first viewed the elephant sculptures in New York City. She said she was \u201camazed by their power and presence and the positive energy they radiated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The intricate sculptures are handmade by The Real Elephant Collective, a group of 200 Indigenous artisans from the Betta Kurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan and Soliga communities of India\u2019s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, according to the community center officials.<\/p>\n<p>The project promotes harmony between humans and animals, frees forests from invasive species and supports Indigenous communities through sustainable businesses, according to the Great Elephant Migration website.<\/p>\n<p>It also aligns with the city of Sonoma\u2019s public art program.<\/p>\n<p>The collective has been creating these sculptures for the past five years. Each piece is named after the elephant that inspired it, as a tribute to the elephants they live alongside.<\/p>\n<p>The sculptures, depict a living matriarch, \u201cMoringa,\u201d and an adolescent elephant, \u201cMarigold.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Originally Published: September 5, 2025 at 11:47 AM PDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As part of the Great Elephant Migration Project, \u201cMarigold\u201d is placed at the Sonoma Community Center for permanent&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":204321,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[648,1032,276,1033,171,728,50,1585,27951,14571,15185,1072,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-204320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-california","11":"tag-design","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-local-news","14":"tag-news","15":"tag-north-bay","16":"tag-northern-california","17":"tag-sonoma","18":"tag-sonoma-county","19":"tag-things-to-do","20":"tag-united-states","21":"tag-unitedstates","22":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115155983865819253","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=204320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204320\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/204321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=204320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=204320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=204320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}