Butterfly themed artistic pieces, created in honour of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, received generous bids from Masset to Kitkatla.
The Butterfly Project had its first exhibit in Prince Rupert on June 21 in connection with National Aboriginal Day with more than 40 pieces of work produced on a 10 x 10 canvas or wooden panel. From then, the exhibit grew to 76 pieces with donations from artists in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Masset and Smithers. The exhibit commenced with a silent auction at the Kaien Island Craft Fair in November.
Bidding totalled $3,591 and organizer, Christine Haubrick, presented a cheque for that amount to the North Coast Transition Society.
“The project would not have been the success it was without the amazing support of the communities — from local businesses providing space for the exhibit to donations of time and services, and the heart and soul of the project were the artists and their art,” Haubrick said.
Contributing artists were elementary to high school students, as well as teachers and members of the community with varying styles that included media art, painting, textiles, to stained glass and metal work.
“I am very appreciative that so many artists chose to become involved in this project. Their participation allowed their art to send a very vital message of recognition and hope in remembering and honouring the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls,” Haubrick said.