Initiative takes wing

Alicia Robinson

Butterflies have alit in Newport Beach in sculptural form, and

starting in February they’ll help spread education in the arts and

sciences around Orange County.

Famed marine artist Wyland on Monday unveiled a sculpture of a

butterfly whose wings he painted with tropical fish to usher in the

Butterfly Initiative, a new community program spearheaded by the

KOCE-TV Foundation.

The initiative sets up an endowment to fund education in the arts

and sciences. It’s a partnership between the TV station and other

organizations, including the Orange County Transportation Authority,

UC Irvine and Roger’s Gardens on San Joaquin Hills Road, where Wyland

showed off his sculpture.

“This was something that I was honored to do,” said Wyland, whose

own foundation supports educational and scientific endeavors. “It’s

just a good fit. They’re trying to save the arts.”

During government budget cuts, art and science programs are often

first on the chopping block despite their importance in developing

well-rounded students, said Roger’s Gardens co-owner Gavin Herbert

Jr.

“I just think it helps develop all aspects of their life,” he

said. “It’s not all just about math and doing well in school. It’s

about using some of those creative juices.”

Money for the endowment will come from sources such as an auction

in February of 25 butterfly sculptures decorated by Orange County

artists and celebrities. The official kickoff of the initiative is

set for Feb. 5 to coincide with California Western Monarch Butterfly

Day.

“I didn’t want to compete where everyone’s going after the same

pots of money,” said Jaimee Niles, KOCE’s interim vice president of

advancement, who developed the initiative. “I’m looking for money

from companies that are not investing in Orange County right now, so

we get more.”

Officials hope to raise $1 million for the endowment in the first

year, Niles said. Because endowments take time to build, it may be

two years before any money is given out.

Through an application process, the endowment will fund art and

science programs that take place in schools, said Carol Zavala,

executive director of Project Tomorrow, a nonprofit group that

promotes science education and will be the lead science agency in the

Butterfly Initiative.

To spread the word abut the initiative, the Orange County

Transportation Authority has decorated 10 buses with butterflies

along with a phone number and Web address.

People can also support the program by purchasing small butterfly

sculptures at Roger’s Gardens to decorate themselves.

For more information, call (714)895-5623 or visit https://

www.butterflyinitiative.org.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.