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Julia Goldman
 It's early June, and the Bronx Zoo's newest exhibit Congo Gorilla Forest will open to the public in two weeks. Exhibit artist, Julia Goldman adds the finishing touches to an artificial rock she helped build for Congo. Goldman paints one side of the rock while her colleague paints the opposite side. "We check each other's work," says Goldman, "to make sure it looks the same." By observing other artists and builders, Goldman believes it has greatly improved her personal painting style and construction skills. Everyone draws on each other's strengths explains Goldman, and "you get stronger in things you are weaker."
Goldman stops painting and excitedly walks over to the Gorilla Gallery to point out a complex tree she helped build. It is difficult to attach wood-like outer layers to an artificial tree when the temperature is greater than 90 degrees, and the epoxy threatens to dry before one could place anything on it, Goldman elucidates. She scans the area singling out objects she took part in creating over the last three years. Pausing for a moment, she realizes that her work at Congo is nearly complete, and soon will no longer be able to come and go into the exhibit as she pleases. "It felt like it was mine, but it's not mine anymore. Now I'm part of the public," Goldman blurts out.
After that last declaration she walks back to the Red River Hog exhibit to resume painting her rock. Once there she notices the red river hogs and wolf's monkeys running around in the exhibit. Exitedly, she motions to her colleague to get a look. "Usually we complete our jobs before we see the animals in the exhibits." Seeing the animals playing and running "makes it all worthwhile," says Goldman. Contented that her work has just been validated by those that matter most, the animals, she picks up her paint brush and tends to her work once again.
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