This summer, Downtown Racine has been graced by a stunning collection of handcrafted butterfly sculptures, bringing beauty and vibrancy to our streets. Now, these unique pieces of art can be yours! Starting on September 9th, the butterflies will be available for online auction, with opening bids beginning at just $200. The auction will close at 11:59 pm on September 19th, so don’t miss your chance to take home one of these remarkable creations. To participate, visit racinedowntown.com and click on the ‘Butterfly Art Project’ tab. You can view all pieces now, but the actual auction page will not go live until Sept 9th.
Each butterfly isn’t just a beautiful addition to downtown; it’s a potential showpiece for your home or garden, ready to become a conversation starter and a lasting memory of this summer’s public art display. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant splash of color for your outdoor space or a meaningful work of art to cherish, these butterflies are sure to spark joy and admiration.
Proceeds from the auction will support the Downtown Racine Corporation, whose mission is to keep the heart of Racine thriving through business development, cultural programming, and community events that continue to make our downtown a destination for all.
“We are beyond excited to celebrate over two decades of public art displays in Racine, a milestone that puts us among the most culturally rich communities in the nation,” said Kelly Kruse, Executive Director of the Downtown Racine Corporation. “These butterflies are more than just art – they are experiences. They’ve brought smiles, created photo ops, and inspired awe all summer long, and now they can bring that same magic into your home or garden.”
The wings of these magnificent butterflies were designed in collaboration with Green Metal Werks, and each base was crafted by welding students from Gateway Technical College under the guidance of Professor Kyle Worzala. This partnership adds a special touch to the project, infusing it with local talent and pride.
“We’re proud to provide our students with opportunities to apply their skills in real-world projects while giving back to the community,” said Professor Worzala. “This experience fosters professionalism and pride, which will benefit them in their careers. We hope their work inspires both current and future students to see the potential of our program.”
Don’t miss out on this chance to bring a piece of Racine’s artistic heritage into your life. Visit racinedowntown.com and place your bid on a butterfly today!
2024 Butterflies that will go up for auction on Sept. 9:
“Good Morning” | Samira Gdisis | Sponsored By Joey’s Yardarm
“All a Flutter” |The Prairie School | Sponsored By Plumb Gold
“Reefpoint Butterfly” | Nancy Barthuly | Sponsored By Reefpoint Marina and Reefpoint Brew House
“Le Papillon a Fleur” | Emma Jarrett | Sponsored By Lang Family Foundation
“Fourth of July Butterfly” | Paul Muckler | Sponsored by Dimple’s Fine Imports
“Wisconsin Butterfly Garden” | Rebecca Stern | Sponsored By Green Hills Metal Werks
“Mystery Butterfly” | Timothy Carls | Sponsored By Twin Disc, Inc.
“Downtown Racine Mosaic” | Andrea Mickelson | Sponsored By Racine Art Museum
“The Watchers Within” | Joyce Williamson | Sponsored by Johnson Outdoors
“Flora Flutter” | Sarah Ratliff | Sponsored By Johnson Financial Group
“I Love You More Than a Billion Sunsets” | Mindi Silich | Sponsored By Johnson Financial Group
“Keep Going” | Jason Seyferth | Sponsored By Red Onion Cafe
“Groovy Garden” | Kelly Witte | Sponsored By Festival Park
“You Give Me Butterflies” | Delise Evans | Sponsored By S.C. Johnson
“Solar Sprite” | Rachael Kerr | Sponsored By Culver’s of 21st Street
“A Shift of Perspective” | Faille Schmitz | ZMac Transportation Solutions
“Epicenter of Creative Empowerment” | Sean Bishop | Sponsored By Sean Bishop Design
“Mexican Butterfly” | Janet Arriaga | Sponsored By S.C. Johnson
DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATION: Downtown Racine Corporation, a non-profit whose mission is to foster economic, social, and cultural diversity by stimulating business development, programming events, and marketing downtown to the community, developers, and tourists.
