‘MARIPOSA PALOOZA’ opens May 10! Professional & amateur artists invited to imaginatively decorate metal Butterflies!
Seventy 24-30 inch metal butterflies imaginatively recreated by local professional and amateur artists, go on display, with artists’ names, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center in time for Mother’s Day weekend, May 10, through November 2, which includes the Dia de los Muertos holiday.
MARIPOSA PALOOZA is funded in part by an $14,000 grant from City of Corpus Christi Arts & Cultural Commission. Mariposas (Spanish for butterflies) have fascinated people for centuries and are a symbol of renewal and new life in many cultures.
The exhibit will be presented with pollinator gardens; une ofrendo (an altar) erected at the Gardens during Dia de los Muertos along with a butterfly release in the screened native Butterfly House to connect natural science of butterflies to the Mexican culture; educational signage about butterfly and monarch migration, life cycles; and local Dia de los Muertos festival encouraging summer visitors to return to Corpus Christi for the street party!
It offers local artists an opportunity to express their talents on a non-traditional medium in a non-traditional “gallery,” outdoors in a high-traffic public venue.
Artists needed to recreate butterflies, judged for cash rewards
Artists wishing to enter “Mariposa Palooza” can pick up their butterfly beginning Tuesday, March 25, leaving a $25 refundable deposit, at the Administration Building, 9:30 am-5:30 pm weekdays, entrance on S. Oso Pkwy at S. Staples St.
Judges will award cash prizes to top three adult and youth (under 18) artists.
Each butterfly:
- Must be painted both sides with completely weather-proof coatings.
- May be creative with other materials added to the painted butterfly.
- Must be decorated on both sides, and completely covered with a clearcoat weather-proof sealer.
- Must be turned in by May 1 to be judged and displayed.
- Prizes will be awarded to top 3 adult and youth (under 18) entries.
- All decorations must last outdoors through November. When the ‘artful butterfly’ is returned completed, each artist receiving a stipend for material. Butterflies becomes property of the Botanical Gardens.
“Art is for the Birds,” artist-decorated wooden bird houses also funded by the Arts & Cultural Commission, successfully filled the Gardens in 2023 for the “Birdiest Festival in America.” Many of those cleverly-detailed birdhouses remain on display.
