In partnership with SLO County Arts, the Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA), the Western Monarch Trail, and the Shanbrom Family Foundation present Through the Eyes of a Monarch, an art show inspired by the migration of the western monarch.
Through the Eyes of a Monarch coincides with the Mariposa Festival in September, honoring
the western monarch butterfly and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The exhibit will take
place from September 1 through September 30 at The Bunker SLO in support of the Central
Coast State Parks Association and the Western Monarch Trail.
The intention of the art show is to highlight not only the beauty of the monarch, but also the
struggles the monarchs and many other pollinators face. Climate change, habitat loss and
pesticides are affecting this small – yet very important – species on earth. Artists in the show
tell the story of the monarch with their art “through the eyes/lens of a monarch” in various
ways speaking to them as artists, including the beauty of the migration and flight, the
destruction they see to their habitat through climate change, fires and habitat loss, and more.
The show will feature works by 23 different artists in a range of mediums including, but not
limited to, painting, photography, embroidery, and stained glass. A panel of judges selected
“Wildfires and the Monarch Butterfly” by San Luis Obispo artist James Dietze as the featured
artwork for the show. Dietze’s large format colored pencil piece depicts the juxtaposition of
the western monarch against habitat wildfire. Through the Eyes of a Monarch will be the
sixth show to exhibit at The Bunker SLO since its opening earlier this year as a public gallery
space.
“I am truly inspired and in awe of the thoughtfulness and beauty of the artwork submitted.
My expectations and visions for what would come from this effort is beyond exceeded. I can
not imagine a better way to tell the story of the plight of the western monarch than through
these unique and powerful art pieces. I would like to express my gratitude to Jordan and
Summer with the SLO County Arts Council for their exceptional support and attention. And to
Missy and Kalae with The Bunker SLO for their careful curation. I remain grateful for the
partnership and support of the Shanbrom Family Foundation for making this possible. The
collaborative effort and commitment to artistic diversity are truly inspiring.” Kristin Howland,
Executive Director, Central Coast State Parks Association
For more information, contact the following:
Jordan Chesnut, SLO County Arts Programs Director, [email protected]
Summer Truschke, SLO County Arts Programs Coordinator, [email protected]
Kristin Howland, CCSPA Executive Director, [email protected]