Monarch Butterfly Sculpture

The magnificent monarch butterfly sculpture that appeared on the corner of Jellicoe and Pollen Streets last month was created by Stephen Ranger.

Mr Ranger created the sculpture from old steel, nuts bolts, springs and exhaust pipes recycled from Campbell Tubes.

"I wanted to donate the sculpture to the community," said Mr Ranger. "I'm just really happy to have it where everyone can enjoy it." This is Mr Ranger's first attempt at a sculpture of this size.

Mr Ranger has also offered to maintain the sculpture to make sure it keeps looking great, whether it needs painting, or structural repairs.

"We will work with Mr Ranger to ensure all maintenance is done when we change the annuals, so we don't have to work around the plants," says Parks and Reserves manager Derek Thompson. "Our gardeners were impressed with the effort Mr Ranger went to to protect the garden and replacing the plants after installation," added Mr Thompson.

"I want to add a huge thank you to Mr Ranger from TCDC. We are big fans of public art and enjoy the metal stickmen and now the butterfly," says TCDC's Chief Executive, David Hammond. "We also keep an eye on traffic safety as well to make sure that art isn't in a place where it could distract motorists. If in doubt please ring your local Council office."

Council understands the significance of the Arts community in the Thames-Coromandel and is in the process of putting together an Arts Strategy on how best to acknowledge, nurture, celebrate and showcase the creativity in the Coromandel.

"We welcome the focus on putting together an Arts Strategy and will look to host a workshop on the Coromandel for early 2015 with Creative Waikato. The workshop will invite arts groups from around our District," says Mr Hammond.

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