Item #5: O'KEEFFE FLIGHT BUTTERFLY

Thanks to a collaboration with the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs and their Flight program the FAC is honored to feature a very special, custom Georgia O'Keeffe themed butterfly exclusively for our Gala auction. "Flight" displays butterflies on the streets of Colorado Springs each summer, as part of a project that raises money for arts in our schools. Students in the advance fabrication program at Coronado High School manufacture the aluminum bodies. Local artists decorate them. Flight then places them all around town on public display.

Flight's butterflies will be auctioned on October 24th, with proceeds providing grants to D11 for the integration of creative arts into STEM education as well as the Rotary Club's local service projects. Tonight, however, you will have the chance to own this very special FAC butterfly ahead of the rest. To commemorate the year of Georgia O'Keeffe and foster her legacy in our local schools, the Fine Art Center has teamed up with Flight to bring you this amazing butterfly. Linda Sagastume, one of the Bemis School of Art's very own instructors, painted it for us with O'Keeffe inspiration. We could not think of a better way to give you O'Keeffe fans a chance to take a little O'Keeffe home with you without our having to call the police.

Half of the proceeds from this auction item go to the Fine Arts Center. The other half will go towards the grants given to D11 for the integration of creative arts into STEM education (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Like you, we know how important a role art plays in the development of young minds. This butterfly gives you the opportunity to help foster that integration in our local kids' education by adding the "A" into STEM and creating STEAM, all the while supporting your Fine Arts Center.

This butterfly comes with either a floor stand, like the one on which it is currently being displayed, or a yard stake. Status Symbol Auto Body has clear coated it with the same material they use on cars so that it will withstand the elements and beautifully adorn your home, garden or business for many years to come. If you cannot take it home tonight, we will deliver it anywhere in Colorado Springs. We will also help you install it.

Generously donated by Linda Sagastume and in partnership with the Rotary Club Colorado Springs and their Flight program.