Date: Fri 31-Jul-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Bruce-Museum-Butterflies-Moths

Full Text:

Wings Of Summer

w/2 cuts

GREENWICH, CONN. -- The Bruce Museum will present "Wings of Summer:

Butterflies and Moths" from August 2 to October 18 featuring the work of five

artists -- Peg Arnold, John Cody, Katie Lee, Mindy Lighthipe and Vichai

Malikul.

Complementing the paintings will be mounted butterflies and moths from the

Bruce Museum collection, which shows the variety and beauty of these

creatures.

Each artist illustrates different aspects in the world of butterflies and

moths. Cody, who has been called the "Audubon of Moths," specialized in one

species -- the Saturniids. Born without a mouth, these moths live only a few

days before mating and dying, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of life.

Lee shows us that butterflies and moths are not only beautiful but also

unusual and amazingly efficient. Among her works are depictions of the

butterfly life cycle from the pin-sized egg to the caterpillar to the

chrysalis from which the winged adult emerges ready to mate and lay again.

Malikul, from the Smithsonian Institution, highlights the detailed patterns

and forms of each species. His accurate images are used in the Peterson Guide

to Eastern Butterflies. Lighthipe and Arnold share their delight and

fascination with the insect world in their striking images of local and

tropical butterflies -- some seen as individuals, others enjoy their native

habitats.

Also featured is one of the wonders of the natural world, the Monarch

butterfly. As summer ends, the Monarch embarks on a 2,000-mile journey to its

wintering grounds in Mexico. Butterflies, in general, and the Monarch, in

particular, are studied by second-grade students in Greenwich schools. The

artwork produced by these students as part of their butterfly projects will be

on view at the museum during this exhibition.

The Bruce is at 1 Museum Drive and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 am

to 5 pm, and Sundays, 1 to 5 pm. Admission is $3.50. For information,

203/869-0376.