The unique and beautiful display of custom-decorated butterflies in Shorewood has been the talk of the town this summer, but will soon draw to a close. The culmination of the “Butterflies in Flight” public art event takes place on Sunday, August 30 at Hubbard Park Lodge, 3565 N. Morris Blvd., when the butterflies will be sold to the highest bidders at a public auction to benefit the Shorewood Foundation, the event’s presenting sponsor.

“We are sad to see our butterflies flutter away,” says Barb Caprile, marketing director for the Shorewood Business Improvement District which produced the event. “This amazing public art event has brought our entire community together and attracted guests from all over the country. We are most appreciative of the support of the Shorewood Foundation in helping us launch this first-time event. And we look forward to staging another public art exhibition next year – we are already thinking about a new form to decorate!”

The public is invited to attend the August 30 auction (starting at 4:30 p.m.) for $10 per person, which includes delicious appetizers and lemonade, a cash bar, and a meet-the-artists reception. In addition, butterfly notecards, posters, bookmarks, and specially designed butterfly jewelry will all be for sale to benefit the Foundation.

The auction of the butterflies will begin at 5:15 p.m. Cash, check or credit cards will be accepted and butterflies need to be taken home that evening. (The butterfly form is freestanding on three metal legs and will be sold without the wood base. All the butterflies have been clear-coated and are suitable for long-term outdoor display.) Bidding sheets are available at each butterfly location to pre-bid on your favorite form, especially if you are unable to attend the auction. Please visit www.shorewoodwi.com to see photos of all 30 butterflies. Questions? Call 414-962-7002.