[KHTS] – The metallic butterfly sculpture that used to sit in a Bouquet Canyon Road median in Saugus is set to be reinstalled in a new location at Central Park, pending final approval from the City Council.
The sculpture, officially named “Western Tiger Swallowtail,” was removed for structural and aesthetic repairs after being struck by a vehicle on March 24.
Members of the Santa Clarita Arts Commission met at their regular monthly meeting Thursday and voted to re-locate the piece after repairs are completed, said Phil Lantis, an administrator for the city’s arts and events office.
“We’re excited to have the Western Tiger Swallowtail hopefully back on display in the next few months for people to enjoy,” he said. “(Commission members) approved the recommended site at Central Park, and there are a few more steps before that gets finalized.”
After considering seven possible new locations, commission members ultimately decided to re-install the piece at a grass circle near the softball fields and children’s play area at Central Park.
“(The site) has a high level of visibility in the park, so anyone entering the park would be able to see it,” Lantis said. “It also is in an area that wouldn’t be impacted by normal programming that goes on at the park.”
Concerns were raised that the sculpture could be at risk of being re-damaged if people tried to interact with it at close proximity, so protective fencing is also being considered in the relocation plans.
“Since the piece was designed originally to be in a median, it isn’t necessarily something we want kids to climb on,” Lantis said. “In looking at an alternative site and moving it into the park, our risk office felt it would be beneficial to have some sort of barrier to let people know that people shouldn’t play on it.”
The sculpture is in the final stages of repair and is currently being repainted. Though painting is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, the date of the actual installation has not yet been announced.
“There’s no firm timeline, but over the next couple months it will get reinstalled,” Lantis said.
The commission members’ decision still needs to be shared with the City Council, who will have the opportunity to add it to their agenda. Following their final approval, plans for the foundation, fencing and landscaping of the area also need to be finalized, he said.
A mock-up photo of what the sculpture might look like at its new location was released in the Arts Commission’s agenda report.
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43 Comments
So they’re putting it where no one can crash into it?
Hahaha! Good for the Butterfly! Under gated guard! It is a beautiful piece of art and it’s perfect at Central Park! Good to see it back!!
im suprised it hasent been painted 12 times
I guess that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ;-) I am not a fan of this “art” piece. Now that it has been repaired, I am so glad that it’s not going back to the center median on Bouquet.
Complete waste of tax payer money!
No Butterfly hating!! It’s kinda cool!
Looks like it’s mounting that leaf!
Vanessa Rivera HA now it looks like a butterfly has more color and all… and it def. belongs in the park not the center media … I think it was to distracting I know I got caught up few times staring wondering what the hell it was ..
Definitely not my kind of “art.” So glad it will not be returned to the median.
Good. Less distraction for dumb drivers.
My four year old always noticed the butterfly …he actually asked where it went…I will stop by the park Friday to show him :)
Money well spent….
That thing is hideous!! Thrilled its off the median. I could probably recycle it for scrap and get about $7 for it or else it would be completely worthless.
Come on Jim you know you want it for your front lawn
I thought it was a bumble bee
It’s not bad.
I like seeing something different in beaver leaver usa
What a waste of space.
Can we donate it to the homeless
Looks great
I was going to say…aesthetic reasons being that it was ugly.
Had no idea it was a butterfly!! Lol
Why didn’t it get put in the median in Valencia, why Saugus???
You can have it !!!
I always thought it was a Dragonfly! Will have to see it up close when it’s in its new home soon.
I still think that this thing is a total waste of money/space/time/etc., as it is horrendously ugly, but the park is a much better place for it than the middle of the road.
Finally! That was the dumbest location to begin with!
We must have paid a pretty penny for it to be put under guard! …Not a fan but it’s not a bad piece. However, it belongs someplace like Santa Monica, near the pier or downtown LA somewhere near a freeway.
Is this Saugus or is this fukn Santa Monica? Stop trying SCV…
Sad it has to be caged to keep kids from climbing on it. That’s why I thought it was in the median in the first place – inhibited access. I think its whimsical and entertaining and look forward to be able to see it again!
Missed seeing it there!
Whimsical and entertaining? Ugly and a wretched waste of OUR money.
I always THOUGHT it was a dragonfly! Now it does look like a butterfly. Was it changed??? I enjoyed seeing it on the median.
Park seems like a more appropriate place for it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…
I don’t really see it as a waste of tax dollars. Ifs something nice, would ya rather keep the city bland and boring? Oh and I’m sure it’s on commission
Dang it!!! Its back??? Seriously who decided this stuff…I am guessing someone who doesnt live in the area….
I would love to see what kind of art some of the above commenters DO like.
Looks interesting very colorful
who’s the artist? Beauti is in the eye of the beholder most don’t understand what art is. town too boring to appreciate anything nice you can just tell by those making nasty comments.
Looks interesting very colorful
who’s the artist? Beauti is in the eye of the beholder most don’t understand what art is. town too boring to appreciate anything nice you can just tell by those making nasty comments.
It’s beautiful! Glad to see it’s back!
Awesome town
I think it was a big distraction. . So many accidents were happening near it
Its very whimsical! Not sure if that little fence will keep kids off of it.