Exhibit sends visitors into the world of butterflies

September 14, 2010

Marmian Grimes

An artist's rendering of the Butterfly Pavilion
An artist's rendering of the Butterfly Pavilion
Lloyd Huskey
907-474-6443
9/14/10

One of the hallmarks of summer will stay through December this year at the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

On Saturday, the museum will host a grand opening for its newest exhibit, The Butterfly Pavilion. The pavilion is built of mesh filled with flora that attracts and nourishes butterflies. Visitors can step inside and be completely surrounded by live butterflies. Humans usually see the delicate creatures as graceful movements of color and are lucky to catch up with the animals to examine them. The Butterfly Pavilion allows humans and insects to interact in an intimate environment.

The grand opening will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. The event will include a chance for children to get their pictures taken in a butterfly costume and create a take-home craft.

The Butterfly Pavilion exhibit runs through Dec. 31. Admission to the butterfly exhibit is included in the museum's general admission price: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for youth 7-17 and free for children 6 and under. Museum members also receive free admission. Visitors may attend the butterfly exhibit only for $2. The exhibit is open 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Information on the museum's programs and exhibits is available at 907-474-7505 and online at museum.uaf.edu.

ON THE WEB: museum.uaf.edu

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images are available for download from the UAF newsroom: www.uafnews.com.

AC/9-14-10/041-11