Hickory – A new metal sculpture of a butterfly adorns the grounds of Sally Fox Park in Hickory. The public art piece titled “Swallowtail II” was created by North Carolina artist Jim Weitzel and commissioned by the City of Hickory Public Art Commission (PAC) for Hickory’s public art collection.

Custom made of steel with green patinaed wings, Swallowtail II depicts a butterfly in flight and is part of the artist’s “Wings” sculpture series. As with other recent works in this series, Weitzel explores the concepts of flight, freedom, and spirituality through the sculpting of wings. The new sculpture in Hickory measures 8 feet by 4 feet by 2 feet and perches on a pedestal along First Avenue NE in the Ivey Arboretum at Sally Fox Park.

Members of the Public Art Commission regularly attend local sculpture exhibits and festivals in the area. Weitzel’s work captured the eyes of PAC members at the 2023 Lenoir Sculpture Festival, but the PAC was committed to the Miracle of Hickory basketball court mural at that time.

“The PAC believed that a static, organic piece like Swallowtail would be perfect for the location in Sally Fox Park,” said PAC member Charlton Seaver. “Its height and stance allow the sculpture to be seen from the City Walk, from visitors to the park, and from people passing in their vehicles.”

PAC member Dawn Tashjian added, “The Forest City based artist, Jim Weitzel, was extremely accommodating and came to visit the site beforehand. The original piece had been sold, so Jim was commissioned to create an original ‘Swallowtail II’ specific to the location. Since the piece was going to sit higher on the pedestal, we wanted the artist to consider the pitch of the wings to get maximum visibility from the street and park. The butterfly is a light-hearted piece meant to inspire happiness in viewers with its simple but pleasing form and vibrant use of color.”

Artist Jim Weitzel grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and has been creating art and mastering the craft from an early age. During his years in Ohio, he spent many hours soaking in creative inspiration at the Cleveland Museum of Art. His early influences included Salvador Dali and have had a lasting impact on the art he creates.

“In my continuing efforts to create art that has more to say than just object. I hope that my work will be viewed as a new archaeological discovery,” said Weitzel.

Weitzel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art in 1979 from the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio. This gave him a traditional fine arts education and a strong foundation in both classical and modern art. Weitzel has been pursuing his passion for art, in a variety of forms, ever since. His studio is in Forest City, North Carolina, where he lives and works. His creative talents are multifaceted, but he currently concentrates his skills on metal sculpture and custom furniture creation.

The Public Art Commission is an advisory group to the Hickory City Council that provides a forum for integrating public art into the public space, helps to create a visual sense of the community, and offers leadership in implementing a public art program for Hickory.

The City of Hickory’s Public Art Collection is comprised of nearly 100 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, murals, and benches.

For more information about the Public Art Commission, visit www.hickorync.gov/public-art-commission.