Butterflies Migrate to Village Green: Annual Rye’s Above Sculpture Display is On
The annual Rye’sAbove butterfly sculpture installation debuted on the Village Green Wednesday, bringing a fourth year of public art, climate awareness and scholarship funds to the community. Despite the rainy weather, fifty people, including a flight of public officials, came out to witness the organizers from Rye Rotary and the Rye Arts Center unveil these oversize pollinators.
“I have been involved with Rye’sAbove since the very beginning several years ago and it’s great to see how the program has grown and expanded,” said Richard Sgaglio, a member of the Rye Rotary Board of Directors. “People are genuinely excited to see the butterflies take flight on the Village Green and [the butterflies] are becoming a symbol associated with Rye. It’s a great program all around and the Rye Rotary is proud to have helped bring the program to our area.”
Mayor Cohn and County Executive George Latimer spoke about the importance of volunteer projects such as this one as they beautify and unify the Rye community and beyond. Participating artists also spoke about how public art projects showcase their work and give them a platform to express themselves.
When the butterfly sculptures are auctioned this fall (you can bid online now) the funds raised will go towards art programs at the Rye Arts Center and scholarships provided by Rye Rotary. In 2022, the auction raised $50,000.
Beyond the large butterfly sculptures on the City of Rye Village Green, the small butterflies will be on display at stores and businesses along Purchase Street through the summer.
