By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
On the grounds of the Orion Art Center near downtown sits a massive, new sculpture that is unlike the intensity and fierceness of the commonly created dragon artwork.
It’s a butterfly. Seventeen butterflies to be exact.
And its creation is intended to be a catalyst for a larger, more active attraction to the OAC. Still in the infancy stages of development, OAC Director James Jenkins is looking ahead and attempting to find ways that will attract people into downtown while creating more public art.
After a long discussion with Lake Orion Horseshoe Club President Ron Price, the two knew they wanted to bring something to Lake Orion it has never seen before.
‘If we don’t dream big, we’ll never get there,? Jenkins said as he explained his vision for the sanctuary.
With the anticipation of the Paint Creek Trail Connector, Jenkins and Price saw the trail weaving its way to the Meeks Park Bridge and believed that area would be perfect for a sanctuary.
‘We want to start to turn the grounds of the Art Center into a bird and butterfly sanctuary so it becomes a compelling public space,? Jenkins said. ‘The idea is to make the space so compelling, so attractive, and so unique right along that trail-way that it gives people an engaging relaxation area.?
The bird and butterfly sanctuary still has to go through approvals with the village board of which they’re in the process of doing. Next Jenkins and Price have to develop blue prints and funding for the project.
The sculpture is one of many ways the OAC has partnered with the DDA to bring more engaging public art into downtown. DDA Executive Director Suzanne Perrault was approached by Jenkins, Price and the sculptor, Steve Leach, to bring the concept into reality. The idea fit the vision of Lake Orion’s downtown area to make it more attractive to both local residents and visitors.
Leach, who owns Custom Welding Company on Baldwin Road, donated all of his time and many of the materials needed to make the sculpture with the DDA chipping in $1,300 to cover the rest of the materials.
‘We want to make downtown a cool place to hang out with cool places to sit, beautiful things for people to look at, great restaurants and great stores to go into,? Perrault said. ‘If we can really become more of an art community and we have such a gem right now with the Orion Art Center in our downtown, it’s just going to continue to attract people down here.?
The sculpture currently sits between the Horseshoe Club and the OAC right by the bridge to Meeks Park. It’s made out of half-inch, aircraft aluminum that has been plug welded so after grinding, smoothing, and polishing, it’s impossible to see how the butterflies are attached. It has been powder coated with a translucent candy apple color of which it had to be baked at 400-degrees to allow the polymers to adhere to the metal.
Leach, a long time Lake Orion native, jumped at the opportunity to create an art piece for the OAC. He recalled having an enjoyable time growing up in Lake Orion and wanted to do something special for the community.
‘I was born here, my father had his shop here, and we’ve been here for over 50 years,? Leach said. ‘What are the chances of being born in Lake Orion and using your talents to help put this up and create stuff like that for the community to enjoy. We appreciated so much growing up here.?