Beyond Bunnies: Hunt Slonem’s First Donkey to Aid Sanctuary

HOPLAND, CA – June 01, 2026 – For decades, the art world has known Hunt Slonem for his vibrant, repetitive menageries of bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds. His neo-expressionist works, characterized by their lush color and energetic brushwork, hang in the hallowed halls of the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are prized by an eclectic list of collectors from Sharon Stone to the late Andy Warhol. Now, the celebrated artist has ventured into new territory, creating his first-ever painting of a donkey—a singular piece commissioned to support a cause as unique as the artwork itself.

The one-of-a-kind painting is being offered through an online auction to benefit Oscar's Place Adoption Center & Sanctuary, a Northern California donkey rescue featured on the ABC series Donkey King. This event marks a rare and powerful convergence of the high-stakes contemporary art market and the grounded, vital work of animal welfare, turning a collector's passion into a direct lifeline for animals in need.

An Unexpected Muse in a Celebrated Career

Hunt Slonem’s prolific career is built on a foundation of signature motifs, a visual language instantly recognizable to critics and collectors alike. His canvases, often featuring grids of his favored creatures, are exercises in meditative repetition, brought to life with a lavish application of paint and a distinctive cross-hatching technique known as sgraffito, where he carves into the wet layers to create texture and depth. His decision to paint a donkey, therefore, represents a significant and intriguing departure.

"I incorporate animals in my work as a way of connecting with the natural world," Slonem stated in the announcement. "I'd never painted a donkey before. It was a challenge. I've always loved them, and this was my first attempt."

The resulting piece, a 20 x 16-inch oil on panel, was inspired by Viejo, the personal companion of Oscar's Place co-founder Ron King. While capturing the subject with Slonem's characteristic energy, it introduces a new, gentle form into his celebrated animal kingdom. For collectors, this offers an unprecedented opportunity. In the art market, a "first" from a major artist—the first time they tackle a new subject—is a historically significant event, often leading to heightened interest and value. Given that Slonem's works regularly command tens of thousands of dollars, with a personal auction record reaching $80,000, the charitable sale of his first donkey is poised to make a substantial financial impact.

From Pop Art Profits to Philanthropic Purpose

The collaboration was born from a deep-seated, and perhaps unlikely, connection between the sanctuary and the elite art world. Oscar's Place co-founder Phil Selway is also the CEO and co-owner of Hamilton-Selway Fine Art, a premier West Coast gallery specializing in pop and contemporary masters. The gallery's climate-controlled walls display iconic works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Keith Haring—a world away from the dusty paddocks of the Hopland sanctuary. Yet, it is the success of this art business that provides a crucial financial pillar for his philanthropic mission.

This innovative model of entrepreneurial philanthropy allows Oscar's Place to operate on a scale necessary to make a real difference, funding its expansion and daily operations. Selway's position in the art world provided the perfect bridge to engage an artist of Slonem's stature.

"I have long been a fan of Hunt Slonem and his work. Both professionally and as a personal collector," said Selway. "His magical use of color and texture creates a sense of wonder and warmth. And now, given my work with the mission around the donkeys, it is our mutual love of nature and the joy that can come from it that makes this feel like such a great partnership."

The painting was officially unveiled today, June 1, with bidding now open online. The auction will culminate dramatically during a live telethon broadcast from the sanctuary’s barn in Hopland on Saturday, June 27. The organizers have confirmed that 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong care of the donkeys.

A Lifeline for the Overlooked and Undervalued

Oscar's Place is more than just a backdrop for a high-profile art auction; it is a critical refuge for over 220 donkeys across two ranches in Hopland and Potter Valley. Established in 2021, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has already saved over 440 donkeys from kill pens, auctions where they are sold for slaughter, and situations of extreme neglect. The organization’s commitment to excellence is affirmed by its "Verified" status from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), a rigorous certification ensuring the highest standards of animal care, governance, and ethical operations.

The sanctuary's intensive work has gained national visibility through the ABC docuseries Donkey King. The show follows co-founder Ron King and his dedicated team as they undertake the arduous process of rehabilitating these often-misunderstood animals. It shines a light not only on the profound emotional intelligence of donkeys but also on the urgent threats they face globally from the trade for their hides, which has decimated their populations.

This level of public engagement is matched by a steadfast commitment to financial transparency. Oscar's Place has earned the Platinum Transparency 2026 emblem from Candid, a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. nonprofits for its open reporting on finances, goals, and impact. In 2024, the organization directed nearly 82% of its $2.8 million in revenue toward its core programs. The funds raised from the Slonem painting will directly support these efforts, covering the immense costs of food, specialized veterinary care, and the patient, one-on-one interaction required to help abused and fearful animals learn to trust humans again. The sanctuary's careful adoption process, which includes site visits and a commitment to not separating bonded pairs, ensures each rehomed donkey finds a true forever home.

For the winning bidder, the painting will be a remarkable acquisition—a piece of art history from a modern master that tells a story of compassion. For the donkeys of Oscar's Place, the sale represents a tangible lifeline, ensuring the sanctuary can continue its crucial work of providing safety, care, and a second chance at life for hundreds of deserving animals.