Smithsonian National Zoo in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Gathering
The Observer
The Explorer
The Servant
The Matriarch
The Alpha
The Youth
The Ally
— Bart Walter • 1998, Bronze, life-size —
"My hope is that you will join this gathering of chimpanzees and engage your imagination. Take time to reflect on how it may feel to be within a social group of fellow primates. Look around at each different member of The Gathering. Can you find something of yourself in certain individuals? We have more in common with great apes than we realize."
—Bart Walter
The Gathering was made possible by a generous contribution from Ruth and Bill Holmberg.
Bart Walter loosely based "The Matriarch" on Flo, one of the chimps studied by renowned primatologist and author Dr. Jane Goodall.
About the Artist
A native of Maryland, Bart Walter has been sculpting since 1980. He sculpts many of his subjects in the wild, creating small studies in wax, which he will use later as reference to develop larger works in his studio.
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.
Location. 38° 55.751′ N, 77° 2.815′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Smithsonian National Zoo. Marker can be reached from Olmsted
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Art in the Park (here, next to this marker); What's the O-Line? (a few steps from this marker); Forests Without Food? (within shouting distance of this marker); Scientists on the "Hunt" (within shouting distance of this marker); Bald Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); Maned Wolf / Przewalski's Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Ostrich / Domestic Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Black-footed Ferret / Giraffe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 7 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Photos of the sculptures. • Can you help?
