By Rachel Inez Stovall
Rotary Club of Colorado Springs
A butterfly covered in delicate flowers. Another painted in bold yellow, blue and orange. Petite sculptures surrounded by gift baskets and donated experiences. This was the scene at Hotel Polaris on October 3, when the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs brought its 19th Annual Wings of Change Celebration and Auction to life.
The event raised approximately $70,000 to support community programs and projects. Its success grew from a distinctly Colorado Springs tradition: commissioning local artists to turn butterfly, dragonfly and hummingbird sculptures into original artwork, sharing that art with the public, and auctioning it to support Rotary service.
This year’s artist roster included 44 participants. Among them were Al B. Johnson, Andrea Wykel, Cedric Taylor, Laurel Bahe, Lorraine Danzo, Jessica Mayfield, Jin Rong Zhang and many others whose individual styles made the collection distinctive. Hummingbirds joined the familiar butterflies and dragonflies, giving artists a new form to explore.
The campaign begins with a call to artists. Selected participants are commissioned to design and decorate sculptures specifically for Wings of Change. The result is a collection of original pieces, each carrying the imagination of its creator.
For Johnson, the opportunity to serve through art has kept him involved year after year.
“I saw it as a great way to give back to the community, and I just decided to jump in and do it,” he said. “I had a great time with it the first year, and I’ve just been doing it ever since.”
Before any auction paddle is raised, the sculptures become part of the city’s public life. The August 28 Grand Reveal brought visitors to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum lawn for an outdoor celebration with artists, music and food. People circulated among the sculptures, discovered favorites and learned about the work behind them.
Larger sculptures remained on display at the museum, while petite pieces were exhibited at the Ent Center for the Arts. This public exhibition period gives the fundraiser a reach beyond Rotary members and Gala guests. It invites the wider community into the project before asking people to bid.
At Hotel Polaris, that interest became support. The live auction featured original sculptures, while the silent auction offered petite artwork alongside donated merchandise and experiences. Online bidding allowed supporters to participate even if they could not attend the dinner. A raffle provided another way to contribute.
KOAA News 5 Senior Reporter Meghan Glova served as mistress of ceremonies. Guests enjoyed dinner, met artists and spent an evening with people who shared an interest in Colorado Springs and Rotary’s work.
“We want people to enjoy themselves, experience extraordinary local art and spend an evening with people who care about this community,” Club President Joe Reagan said before the event. “At the end of the night, all of that fun has a purpose.”
Sponsors were essential to making that evening possible. Status Symbol Auto Body served as presenting sponsor, with Tuck and Liz Aikin at the Swallowtail level. Corwin Toyota Colorado Springs and the Blazer Family Foundation were Birdwing sponsors. Additional businesses, foundations, families and individuals supported the Buckeye and Skipper levels, while Production Printing, The Gazette and Heavy Metal contributed in-kind support.
Behind the displays and dinner was months of coordination. Rotarians and volunteers managed artist recruitment, sculpture production, sponsorships, public exhibitions, transportation, auction donations, publicity and guest arrangements.
Gala Committee Chair Detra Duncan explained the reason for that effort: “I love giving back, and that’s what the Rotarians are about: giving back in the community.”
Wings of Change supports District 11 school grants for arts, science and technology, post-high-school scholarships, teacher recognition, dental care for children in need, and local and international service projects. The Gala also followed a summer of Rotary collaboration with downtown and community partners on the restoration effort for the historic Acacia Park Bandshell.
For fellow Rotary clubs, the lesson is practical: build a fundraiser around something your community can create, enjoy and share. In Colorado Springs, artists provide the color, sponsors and bidders provide the resources, and Rotary connects their generosity to service.
The club thanks all 44 artists, its sponsors, Rotarians, volunteers and community supporters. The sculptures may leave the auction for new homes, but the opportunities they help create will continue well beyond the evening.
