A PETA reception at the Ivy Brown Gallery in New York City recently honored artist and educator Karen Turner and her creation of 100 eye-catching death rattles—similar to those used in indigenous cultures—to call attention to the importance of ending animal suffering. Guests dined on a decadent vegan spread by Blossom Restaurants as they viewed the percussion rattles, reminding people that all beings—regardless of species—should be free from exploitation and abuse.

“Animals are a crucial part of every ecosystem on Earth,” says the artist, “yet we have destroyed their habitats with clearcutting and poison, filled the oceans with plastic and garbage, and sentenced our fellow beings to a lifetime of suffering in animal factories, laboratories, puppy mills, and beyond. These death rattles symbolize the importance of letting harmful practices die out so we can allow the remaining life on our planet to recover and thrive.”

When Turner founded Oz School in Santa Fe, New Mexico—an after-school enrichment program in which students explored painting, writing, and theater—she made animal rights issues a major part of the curriculum. The school has also featured an art exhibit benefiting Save the Chimps and theatrical demonstrations at the state legislature that called attention to cockfighting, until the blood sport was made illegal in New Mexico.

PETA is honored that Turner is donating the proceeds from her latest artistic endeavor to help animals.

PETA hosts many diverse and exciting events in different cities throughout the year. Please consider attending when we hold one near you. You can be sure it will be fun, informative, and inspirational.