For its autumn exhibition, the local art league challenged its membership to fashion works based on paintings and drawings crafted by youngsters in a project at a nearby elementary school. The BRC founder selected an image from this artful collection that appeared to depict a grade school athlete nearing the finish line in a foot race.
The running figure with outstretched arms reminded him of his youngest granddaughter who devotedly pursues fluttering butterflies in her quest to someday capture one of these elusive winged creatures of fragile beauty.
In retrospect, the theme of a butterfly 5-stringer was subliminally suggested to the BRC founder months earlier when he visited a zoo with grandkids and was photographed in his “banjo is best” t-shirt next to a boldly colored poster of a swallow-tailed species.
The incredible Monarch butterfly accomplishes a spectacular migration from North America to Central Mexico each autumn traveling 50-100 miles per day. On this yearly pilgrimage, these aerial travelers are mostly guided by the sun and internal photoreceptors. Because of environmental changes, the number of Monarchs is declining. Hopefully, these precious beauties will come under federal protection soon.
Grade-schoolers, parents, and teachers thronged the gala opening reception at the gallery to view the paintings, jewelry, stained glass and fiber works fashioned from the youngsters` inspirations. The curious kids were allowed to strum the “Chasing Butterflies” banjo while it was hand-held by the builder.
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