A new public sculpture celebrating local wildlife has taken flight in Skipton, marking the first stage of the upcoming Buzzing Skipton Trail.
A “kaleidoscope” of 33 bronze butterflies now flutters above the railings leading into Craven Arts House on Otley Street. The artwork is inspired by the specific butterfly species found in the surrounding hay meadows and was brought to life through a series of community workshops led by local sculptor Mark Butler.
Participants from the public, as well as groups from Stepping Stones and SELFA, decorated wooden butterflies over the winter. These individual designs were then cast into bronze to create the permanent installation. The sculpture will be officially opened this Friday 27th March from 5pm to 7pm, coinciding with a “Meet the Artist” event for the gallery’s latest exhibition.
Mark Butler said:
“It’s wonderful to see these pieces all come together after many months of work on them. The workshop participants had a great time decorating the pieces and I hope they now enjoy finding their pieces within the final sculpture. The project is a step towards encouraging visitors to explore beyond the High Street and I hope they will come to see this sculpture and visit the fantastic exhibitions that Craven Arts puts on in Craven Arts House behind it.”
The installation is part of Buzzing Skipton, a wider initiative run by Skipton BID and The Artery. Supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, the project will eventually include a trail leading visitors through newly revitalised, pollinator-friendly havens across the town.
The launch also marks the start of From the Earth, a major spring exhibition at Craven Arts House. Featuring over 30 artists from North Yorkshire Open Studios, the collection explores nature-inspired themes and will be open to the public from 27th March until 26th April 2026.
Anyone interested in seeing the new sculpture or meeting the artists behind the exhibition can head to 55 Otley Street this Friday evening.
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