This annual community arts project/DIY Christmas toy drive gives volunteers the opportunity to create a homemade sock monkey stuffed animal during a series of open-to-the-public workshops. These sock monkeys are then personally given to disadvantaged children on Christmas by "Monkey Claus" (Ryan in a sock monkey costume and Santa hat).
YOU can get involved by building a sock monkey, donating supplies, or helping fund the project.
This project is made possible thru the generous support of Fox River Mills and Fairfield Poly-fil, and organized in partnership with local businesses and organizations.
In 1999 Ryan S Ballard created The Sock Monkey Project as a community arts project. With
sponsorship from Fox Rive Mills and help from volunteers he built 100 sock monkeys that were exhibited as an
installation art piece and then given to children who had been abused and were in the care of CASA.
Sock Monkey Project 2004: Kingsley House
The Sock Monkey Project was ressurected in December of 2004, with the sponsorship of Fox River Mills and Target.
Razzamataz organized a workshop at the Big Top Gallery that allowed individuals to build sock monkeys that were then
donated as Christmas presents to the children at The Kingsley House Home for Battered Women and Children. Over 100
sock monkeys were hand sewn by those attending the workshop. These sock monkeys were given to the children of Kingsley
House by Ryan S Ballard who dressed up in a gorrilla suit as “Monkey Claus” for the occasion.
Sock Monkey Project 2005: New Orleans Orphans
Sock Monkey Project 2005 proved to be a larger and more successful undertaking than any of
the preceding projects. Ryan S Ballard was forced to leave New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina, but was able to organize
the Sock Monkey Project in Colorado Springs, CO. In December 2005, Mr. Ballard formed a partnership with Starbucks and held
three Razzamataz sock monkey building workshops in Colorado Springs. These workshops were highly publicized and over 200
volunteers attended. Over 150 sock monkeys were built by Ryan and the volunteers. Ryan flew to New Orleans
on December 19th with three enormous bags of sock monkeys and gave a sock monkey to each child who was orphaned by Hurricane
Katrina.
Razzamataz sends out a huge heartfelt “Thank You!” to all of the volunteers and sponsors who
make the Sock Monkey Project possible. Especially our generous patron Fox River Mills, who has donated hundreds of socks to
the project over the years.
Check out the Virtual Gallery for Pictures of the sock monkeys.
Sock Monkey Project 2006: Foster Kids in the Pikes Peak Region
Sock Monkey Project 2006 was a big success! Once again, Fox River Mills generously donated enough socks to build 100+ sock monkeys. This year we hooked up with CASA to give the monkeys to foster kids in the CO Springs area.
Sock Monkey Project 2009: Covenant House, NOLA
Once again, thru the generous donations and continued support of Fox River Mills, Fairfield Polyfil, the Neutral Ground, Fair Grinds, Louisiana Artworks, and a whole lot of wonderful volunteers, Sock Monkey Project 2009 was a big success!
We built a sock monkey for each and every child at Covenant House in New Orleans. Big thanks go out to everyone who participated in the project!
Monkey Pile 2009!
Watch the Sock Monkey Project 2009 Video.
Get Involved with the Sock Monkey Project
You dont have to wait the holidays to get involved. No matter where you live, you can be a part of the Sock Monkey Project and start building your sock monkey right now!
Click the link below and print out a set of sock monkey building directions.
When you finish your sock monkey mail it to:
Razzamataz Productions
Attn: Sock Monkey Project
P. O. Box 791633
New Orleans, LA 70179
We will make sure to give your sock monkey to a kid who needs a little extra love during the next holiday season.
If you need socks to make your monkey click this link to visit the Fox River Mills website. Be sure to order the orignial Rockford Red Heeled Sock Monkey Work Socks.
Sock Monkey Videos
Artist Ryan S Ballard has used sock monkeys as a metaphor in his work for over a decade. Here is a selection of Razzamataz videos featuring sock monkeys:
Watch "Unpeeled: The Iron Banana Story".
Dr. Razzamataz's World Circus features a Sock Monkey performing tricks and Iron Banana playing their smash hit "Sock Monkey Some Are Funky".
Watch a brave sock monkey battle a horrible monster in "Jabberwocky".
Iron Banana performing during the Mystical Medicine Show.
Help Support The Sock Monkey Project!
Razzamataz has a variety of awesome Iron Banana t-shirts available in our CafePress shop! Be a funky monkey and check out all of our different colors and designs.
