Take Flight 2024 Features a Live Art Display and Online Auction For Charity

On Sun., March 24, from noon to 3 p.m., butterflies will take flight for a cause at Shemer Art Center. 

The butterflies are artwork, and the event is Take Flight 2024, hosted by The Phoenix Rotary 100. The live art display and online auction raises funds for charities benefiting youth and homelessness. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Shemer Art Center. 

There will be more than 40 metal butterfly sculptures ranging in sizes from 12 inches to 30 inches to 48 inches. Artists—including Niki Woehler, John Gleason, Jacque Lynn Keller, K. Nari, Carolyn Zbavitel, Jim Covarrubias, Bjorn Bengtsson, and more transformed blank metal canvases into original pieces for the display and auction, creating artwork that represents the community initiative. The butterflies symbolize transformation, particularly reflecting the situations of those experiencing homelessness going through extremely transformative periods of their lives.

“This initiative showcases the incredible talent of our local artists while also symbolizing our collective commitment to transform lives through art,” says Daniel Capote, chairperson and VP/president-elect of the Phoenix Rotary 100.

“My inspiration for this piece is directly inspired by symmetrical paintings I’ve been creating in series. These paintings source in the spiritual experience of internal love light outpouring into our life through service in unity. In creating this piece I intend to imagine myself as the butterfly, bringing transformative lightness and life to our community,” says participating artist Bjorn Bengtsson.

View the works in person during the event. Interested bidders can also take part in the online auction, which closes on 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Visit here to start bidding. The online auction will close at 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Visit here to purchase tickets to the bidder’s reception.

To learn more about the event, participating artists, and how people can contribute, visit Rotary100.org/takeflight.