The “Green Flight of the Monarch Butterflies” is Springfield Art Association’s latest art project in memory of Bronwyn Eves, a former SAA president and avid supporter of the arts. Suspended three stories in the stairwell at Kidzeum hangs 51 strands of nearly 350 butterflies made from recycled water bottles, all crafted by many children and volunteers. This collaborative effort generated a chandelier-like project that embodies the passion and art outreach Bronwyn strived for and her friends and family wanted to honor when the Bronwyn Eves Memorial Fund was established 3 years ago.
This newest project started at the City of Springfield’s Earth Day Festival in April, where a collaboration was formed between the City, Kidzeum, and the Springfield Art Association. Erin Svendsen, SAA Education Director, Adena Rivas, City of Springfield PW Community Program coordinator, and Rae Slowik, Kidzeum Director of Learning and Public Programs came together to develop a community art project utilizing recyclable goods to educate children about being good stewards to the Earth.The Kidzeum was kicking-off their new exhibition about pollination and butterflies at the fair. This was the inspiration Ms. Svendsen needed to give the project its wings. Anywhere from 1 to 4 butterflies were cut from each plastic water bottle. Each child visiting the fair tent was invited to use examples of male and female monarch butterflies as inspiration to color the plastic butterfly with sharpies and name each one personally. The project continued at the SAA where summer youth campers, over three weeks, added to the project. Even waiting parents and volunteers pitched in to complete the swarm. From names like Batman to Butter, each butterfly was then strung onto 51 strands in a circle pattern over 36” in diameter. It was raised and mounted at Kidzeum on July 20th for the museum’s one year anniversary and is intended to be a permanent installation.
For more information, please contact Betsy Dollar at 217-523-2631 or Mary Beth Burke at 217-416-4935.
