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Clemson is a Designated National Monarch Butterfly City and
We are Celebrating in the Most Artistic Way!
In 2022 the City of Clemson received Monarch City USA accreditation and began to plan and establish pollinator beds across the City, specifically targeted towards Monarch Butterfly migration.
According to Monarch City USA, nearly one billion monarch butterflies have vanished since 1990. Monarchs rely on milkweed plants and nectar plants for their food and homes, but these plants are increasingly vanishing all across America. Monarch City USA, created in 2015 in Maple Valley, Washington, encourages America’s 19,000 plus municipalities to directly help the monarch butterfly population recover by encouraging and planting milkweed and nectar plants within their boundaries. Municipalities who do this create stepping stones as stopovers for the monarchs on their journeys.
Twenty talented artists have transformed fiberglass butterflies into colorful works of public art, each one a unique canvas for creativity and beauty.
A map will be provided when the butterflies are in their
permanent homes in June 2025.
Sey D Bryant - Originally from Philadelphia, I now reside in Oconee County,
South Carolina with my amazing family. I am a self taught custom textile artist
and modern quilter. I enjoy telling a color story with my work that is full of
saturation and contrast. My father taught me how to lace paint when I was in highschool and this lesson is what started my love of textile art. I wanted to
document this lesson from him by using it for this public art piece. I hope you
enjoy the view.
Marty Bynum - Storm Metamorphosis into Spring
(A separation of grey and blue)
Living between the spring storms, and the rising of the summer sun, is a
beautiful, magical butterfly. In the muddy pond beneath the butterfly, the
water lily opens its flowers as it reaches the top of the muddy pond water
where its life began. Above the waterlily sits a grumbling storm of thunder and lightning beside a sun who quietly lights up the storms to banish the storms
from the sky. In front of the protection of the butterfly, all of the blooming
plants are safe, and they open up! They offer, their gifts of flowers, colors and
fragrance, bringing hope and beauty to the new season.
So it is, that spring arrives.
Kate Farrah and Lane Owen - In the stained glass wings of a monarch
butterfly, light dances through shifting panes, casting reflections that range
from crystal clarity to dreamlike distortion. Each glimmer, whether sharp or
blurred, echoes our touch upon its fragile world—where even the faintest, most fractured reflection speaks of a presence that cannot be undone. As a botanist
and ecologist, my inspiration bloomed from the delicate web of life that
Monarch butterflies depend on: the warmth of clustered wings in winter,
mirrored in overlapping fan-shaped mosaics; the lifeline of Butterfly milkweed
(Asclepias spp.) for caterpillars to develop; people to protect their habitat to
anchor their survival (mirrors). Reflected in the glass are not only the butterflies'
needs, but also the lives uplifted in their protection—pollinators like bees
(represented in mosaic), resilient native plants, and even ourselves. In their
fluttering fragility, the monarchs remind us that our reflection in their world,
whether clear or distorted, leaves a lasting mark.
Catherine Gurri - This piece is a celebration of biological and cultural diversity.
When so much discourse exists around isolation, we can look to nature, in this
case, the monarch butterfly, to remind us that we share roots with our
neighbors that transcend any human-created boundary. I am using textile art to represent both our home in the Blue Ridge foothills and the end point of the monarch's sojourn in Central Mexico. The left wing is inspired by the Tenango,
the traditional embroidery work of the Otomi people. The right wing shows a
Cherokee seven point star quilt pattern, representing southern Appalachia's rich quilting history, as well as the indigenous influences upon the art form. In both cultures, such large and detailed textiles often involve family or community
members working on a single piece together, making them symbols of
cooperation and unity. One can compare the balance and harmony of a textile
design to the balance and diversity required for a thriving ecosystem. Both
sides also show plants, animals, and fungi native to each region, and each
species has its closest genetic counterpart featured on the other side.
Aubrie Hartley - Sunset on Species: despite all the splendor and bliss that
nature and its inhabitants bring, our ecosystems are faced with impending
danger and disappearances. I wanted to show some of the species that are
faced with this current plight, from charismatic species like our own mascot,
the Bengal Tiger, to the unnoticed and often unloved, like the American
Burying Beetle. I’ve always had a passion for animals, both elegant and
eccentric. Here, I wanted to highlight a variety of species endangered and
even on the verge of extinction: Spix’s Macaw, Shenendoah Salamander,
Gharial, Red Wolf, Black-legged Poison Dart Frog, American Burying Beetle,
California Condor, Southern Blue Fin Tuna, Winter Skate, Little Brown Bat,
Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Tree of Life Flowers, and of course, the Bengal Tiger.
Tatjana Mai-Wyss in collaboration with Clemson Community Care - This
butterfly is a collaboration between CCC clients, staff and volunteers and local
artist Tatjana Mai-Wyss. The monarch butterfly is often seen as a symbol of
hope, strength and resilience. As the City of Clemson has chosen to commit to monarch butterfly conservation by creating and maintaining habitats that
support them, Clemson Community Care is an organization dedicated to the
support of area residents and helping to create an environment for them to
thrive. This butterfly is inspired by the spirit of care and hope that CCC brings
to the community.
Hope Maier- A mixed media artist experienced in acrylic painting, lettering, and illustration. From original designs on hand painted home goods to
attention-grabbing digital illustrations for clients, her work explores the balance between playful subject matter, bold aesthetics, and thoughtful execution.
This piece titled “Elemental Elysium” (hand painted acrylic, 2025), was brought
about with the purpose of calling attention to the stunning beauty of the
natural world, intricacies of different environments, and interconnectedness of seemingly separate entities. The two feminine deities and their accompanying
fauna represent two different elements who embrace their intertwined
relationship enabling them not to just survive, but to thrive and flourish. The
actual touch point between the two is obscured by the butterfly frame, leaving
the viewer open to choose if the two elements do connect, by how much, and
maybe even that we are all better together.
Joey Manson - Psychedelic Butterfly is an explosion of color drawing
attention to the perception of this pollinator's struggles.
Lydia Moline - The inspiration for this design is the relationship between the
monarch butterfly and South Carolina flowering plants. The design features the monarch butterfly and some of South Carolina’s native flowering plants, which
are essential sources of food for the monarch butterfly. Without the nectar
from these flowering plants monarchs, and other butterflies, would not be able
to survive. This design highlights the relationship between the monarch
butterfly and these flowering plants, and how protecting the biodiversity of
South Carolina’s flowering plants is vital to protecting the monarch butterfly.
Instagram is @lydia.moline
Liz Moon -“Floating Wings, And Shiny Things”
I'm constantly inspired by keeping the things that make you happy close by.
I love that both dragons and crows are depicted as hoarding the shiny things
they find. I am a ceramicist so I knew I wanted to incorporate clay into my
butterfly, so I sculpted the dragon and the bird.
@Shinythingsceramics on Instagram
Sara Kate Newton - This piece was inspired by the idea of interconnectedness,
how both butterflies and sea creatures embody delicate strength and natural
beauty. I used the butterfly, a symbol of fragility and transformation, as a
canvas for ocean life and their vulnerable ecosystem. By blending these two ecosystems, I wanted to explore the fragile balance of nature and our role in
preserving its beauty.
Marcie Radakovich - Clemson has many special places to enjoy. My favorites
are the many trails in the Clemson Experimental Forest. It is a wonderful place
to explore the forest and enjoy nature. It is especially great to hike with my
friends and all of our dogs. They can run free and swim in the lake and streams during our hikes. It brings smiles to their faces and ours. This butterfly features
our hiking buddies. It is Great to Take a Hike!
Joan Rossini - Bees and other pollinators are the unsung heroes of ecosystems and agriculture. They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity by facilitating the reproduction of countless plan species. Without them, many fruits, vegetables, and nuts would struggle to grow. Protecting them is essential for a healthy planet, which means supporting conversation efforts, pollinator-friendly flowers, and reducing chemical use. Their work is small but mighty - and the world depends on it.
Emma Twigg - As someone who loves illustration and character design, I
wanted to give this project a personal spin. Bloom was painted with the
intention to highlight the discovery of new connections and the beauty we
can find in our everyday lives. The piece pays homage to the beauty of flora,
specifically of flowers. Much like meeting a new friend when you don’t expect
to, some things appear to us as we find the patience to slow down and look for
them. The piece was painted by hand with acrylic paint and includes gold leaf elements. Email: emma.twigg41@gmail.com
@emma.etc.art on TikTok/Instagram and @emma.etc.art1 on YouTube
Jyoti Vaidya - This mural is inspired by the monarch butterfly, symbolizing
strength, growth, and transformation. Its vibrant colors represent beauty and
hope, even after challenges. The butterfly’s journey reflects our ability to
overcome difficulties and emerge stronger. This artwork serves as a reminder
to keep moving forward and trust in our own path.
Jackie Van Strien, Cindy Surin, and Blossom - Our inspiration comes from a
local artist Derrial Wallings , well known in Anderson. He taught art at Zion
United Methodist church for about 10 years. He never charged a dime for his
expertise, knowledge, and skills. He now is retired but what will remain in us is
what he taught us! ROY-G-BIV!!!!!! The inspiration for our butterfly.
Thank you Derrial.
SC Watermedia Society - In 1942 Pavel Friedman wrote the poem
“The Butterfly” and lamented, “…I never saw another butterfly…” as he reflected
on his life in the Terezin Concentration Camp. 80 years later, in 2022, the City of Clemson was designated a Monarch City, propagating butterflies for the entire
world to experience and enjoy.
The inspiration for this butterfly came from South Carolina Watermedia
Society’s commitment to arts education and the subsequent reflection I had
on the importance of childhood as a developmental process. Inspired by the
idea of art education, I sought to create a work that calls upon the various
stages of children’s artistic development, as displayed on the butterfly’s front,
while also drawing viewers in to contemplate the poem and what it would
mean for a child to “never [see] another butterfly,” as represented by the
butterfly’s contrasting back, which is void of any creativity aside from its
objective existence.
Encased in Friedman’s poem, it is my hope that, as viewers engage with this
butterfly, they contemplate the importance of childhood in the process of development and the dignity of life that must be protected at every stage,
lest our world suffer from a single life’s stark absence.
OLLI at Clemson University - Our OLLI watercolor workshop inspired the
design of the butterfly. The wings are crafted using a blend of artist paint
palettes and brushes, while the body pays homage to Clemson University
with a vibrant splash of orange and purple.
OLLI at Clemson University - Our inspiration for the butterfly came from
spring in Clemson. We aimed to incorporate a variety of shapes and colors in
the flowers.
OLLI at Clemson, 100 Thomas Green Blvd., Clemson, SC 29631; 864-633-5242; olli@clemson.edu; www.olliatclemson.org
The Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail- is pleased to present our butterfly, adorned
with samples from a variety of vintage quilts, and one monarch! The quilts used
in this project were donated by members of our studio team that were created
by members of their families. Quilters were Dorothy Lee from Kentucky, aged
12, made in 1929, Grace Ables Whitfield of Oakway, SC, and Dessie Decker from
Ohio, both created in the mid-twentieth century. UHQT paints replicas of
actual quilts and places them throughout the upstate. www.uhqt.org
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