Young Artists Showcase Talent at the Butterfly Pavilion during the BUG-A-PEDIA Student Art Exhibition
December 29, 2008
The public is invited to view the talent of young artists this holiday season at the Butterfly Pavilion during its annual Student Art Exhibition going on now through January 16, 2009. The annual art exhibition promotes art education in K-12 schools while encouraging the learning and discovery of invertebrates.
Of the million or more animal species in the world, more than 98 percent are invertebrates. Invertebrates don’t have an internal skeleton made of bone, so no backbones! Many types of invertebrates exist with the most common invertebrates being arthropods, which include insects, arachnids and crustaceans – all creatures currently housed at the Butterfly Pavilion.
The theme of the contest this year is Bug-A-Pedia, which means bugs in culture. According to Charlotte Swatek, Art Exhibit Coordinator, the theme allowed the students to learn how important insects are in humans’ everyday lives while being creative and expressive. “The students’ art work is just amazing this year – they really picked up on the theme,” Swatek said.
The art projects focus on how insects have a strong presence in all cultures around the world. While making their art projects, students learned how invertebrates have influenced art, food and religion across the globe and throughout history. Fifteen (15) schools are participating in the Bug-A-Pedia Art Exhibition. Participating schools include:
- Betty Adams Elementary
- Riverdale Elementary
- Littleton Preparatory Charter School
- Arapahoe Ridge Elementary
- The Studio School
- Thornton Elementary
- Stargate School
- Witt Elementary
- Ryan Elementary
- Sheridan Green Elementary
- Skyview Elementary
- Lukas Elementary
- Cotton Creek Elementary
- Leroy Drive Elementary
- LIFE Christian Academy
Over 400 entries were received and are on display throughout the Pavilion. The winners of the contest will receive prizes, which are awarded in February. A total of six prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in both the Elementary and Middle school categories will be given, and voting is conducted by the Butterfly Pavilion staff and volunteers to determine the winners. The annual art contest began in 2001. The temporary art exhibition is included in the price of admission.
When: Now through January 16, 1009
Where: Butterfly Pavilion
6252 West 104th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80020
Just 12 miles northwest of Denver off of Hwy 36 and 104th Avenue in
Westminster. The entrance is located on Westminster Blvd.
Contact: 303-469-5441
www.butterflies.org
Who: Open to the general public with paid admission
The Butterfly Pavilion is open daily, 9 am – 5 pm with the last entrance at 4:15 pm. Admission is $7.95 adults, $5.95 seniors, and $4.95 children ages 3 to 12 years old. For more information about the Butterfly Pavilion please call 303-469-5441 or visit www.butterflies.org.
The Butterfly Pavilion is a Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) funded organization. Our mission is to foster an appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates while educating the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats in the tropics and around the world. We educate over 35,000 school-aged children every year. SCFD is metro Denver’s unique commitment to its art, cultural and scientific institutions. A penny sales tax for every $10 purchase in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson, and northern Douglas Counties goes to support more than 300 non-profit organizations – from the smallest community groups to the largest regional museums.