Butterfly Art Collective's New Sculptural Series Explores Resilience and Transformation

Unveiling Resilience: A Deep Dive into Butterfly Art Collective's Latest Series

On January 26, 2026, the Phoenix Art Museum played host to the debut of Resilience, a captivating sculptural series created by Cheryl Najafi, the founder of the Butterfly Art Collective. This new series delves into concepts of transformation, endurance, and collective memory, marking a significant public presentation for a body of work that is as much about artistry as it is about healing and recognition of enduring communities.

The exhibition featured seven large-scale butterfly sculptures, each boasting impressive wingspans of up to five feet. These pieces were thoughtfully constructed as part of a larger collection that ultimately includes 25 paired sculptures. Each butterfly serves as a poignant tribute to communities affected by the devastating impact of mass shootings across the United States, serving not just as artistic creations but as symbols of resilience and survival that transcend conventional narratives.

Among the displayed artworks, over 100 individual butterflies grace the exhibition space, with many smaller-scale models mimicking their larger counterparts. Every piece is meticulously fabricated from soft resin and thoughtfully incorporates embedded found materials, including fragments from bullets—items that resonate deeply with the tragedies that spurred their creation. The sculptures encapsulate a delicate balance between fragility and permanence, serving as a visual representation of the tension inherent in experiences marked by both grief and strength.

Cheryl Najafi expressed the core message behind the exhibition eloquently, stating, "When a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, it's irreversibly transformed—yet it gains the strength to cross oceans. This exhibition is about honoring the lives forever changed by violence while acknowledging the extraordinary resilience of these communities. Through art, we create space for remembrance, healing, and action."

Co-founders of the Collective, Gabriel and Kelsey Vinas, elaborated on the significance of the materials and overall form of the sculptures. Gabriel noted, "Every material embedded in these sculptures carries weight and meaning," highlighting that the creations embody a complex narrative of grief intertwined with resilience. Kelsey emphasized the importance of using these tensions to prompt reflection and conversation, suggesting a commitment to sparking meaningful change through art.

C. Ryan Joyce, Chief Development Officer for the Phoenix Art Museum, affirmed the power of the Resilience series, remarking, "This sculptural series powerfully explores transformation, endurance, and collective memory through abstraction and material reinvention." The exhibition has not only prompted viewers to engage with themes of metamorphosis but has also aligned with efforts aimed at preventing violence and encouraging safer communities.

In a significant push towards creating actionable change, purchases made during the exhibition will benefit organizations like GIFFORDS and Sandy Hook Promise. This model reinforces the exhibition's central tenet: art can serve as a vehicle for collective action, moving beyond mere awareness to foster tangible impact.

The Butterfly Art Collective is a team of artists dedicated to crafting art and experiences that inspire meaningful change. Their inaugural campaign, Resilience, effectively merges artistic expression with outreach, focusing on the creation and exhibition of 25 pairs of butterfly sculptures to honor communities profoundly affected by the 25 deadliest mass shootings in the United States.

As Resilience embarks on a national tour, each sculpture will find a permanent home in the community it represents, ensuring that local remembrance and national reflection persist long after the exhibition ends. Through this innovative approach, the Butterfly Art Collective not only highlights the transformative potential of art but also its role in driving meaningful conversations surrounding resilience and collective growth in the face of tragedy.

In summary, the Butterfly Art Collective's Resilience series stands as a powerful testament to the strength of community and the transformative power of art, inviting all who encounter it to reflect, engage, and act toward meaningful change.