Desert Botanical Garden is debuting a new mural by local artist Ariana Enriquez along with several additions to the Fall Butterfly Exhibit, Majestic Mariposas, this fall in celebration of the Garden’s 85th Anniversary.
The Cohn Family Butterfly Pavilion will greet guests this fall with a beautiful mural of Arizona’s state butterfly — the two-tailed swallowtail — nestled among nectar-producing plants painted in dramatic brush strokes and dynamic colors created by Enriquez.
Enriquez credits Arizona’s natural landscape as the largest source of inspiration for her painting and mural work. Gravitating towards the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, Enriquez seeks to honor nature’s nuances through her hand-painted details and emphasize the hidden beauty that surrounds us through her descriptive brush strokes and bold color palette.
The beauty and importance of southwestern butterflies has been highlighted at the Garden since 2002 when the first Butterfly Exhibit opened to visitors. More than 20 years later, the Garden continues to present seasonal butterfly exhibits.
In addition to the mural, the Garden is adding a new shaded seating area called the Caterpillar Café where visitors can cool down and learn about the unique plants that butterflies eat and lay their eggs on.
This new exhibit highlights the important part that specific plants like Arizona milkweed, passion vine and citrus trees play in the lifecycle and survival of southwestern butterfly species.
Experience the wonders of Majestic Mariposas and walk among 1,500 fluttering butterflies this fall. The Fall Butterfly Exhibit opens Sept. 21 and is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 10.
