City of Gladstone's Monarch Girl by Joe Norman

Monarch Girl by Joe Norman and the National Sculptors' Guild

Monarch Girl by Joe Norman and the National Sculptors' Guild

The Guild had two installations on the same day this week. Here’s the installation by part of our team in Gladstone, Missouri placing Joe Norman’s “Monarch Girl” at Oak Grove Park, where the city’s Theatre in the Park is annually held.

Inspired by a photo of his daughter during a camping trip several years ago, Joe states, “That photo reminds me of the importance of what we pass on to the next generation.

I combined that image with the Monarch Butterfly because it is an example of interdependence. I believe that is a critical value to teach our descendants and also one that allows Monarchs to migrate through North America. I have yet to see one fly in anything resembling a straight line, yet somehow they move through habitat for thousands of miles taking several generations to complete. But, it is not a one-way relationship: we depend on them as well to pollinate plants and farmland along the way.“

We had a sunny day to install, but it rained for the ribbon cutting. That did not deter the Arts and City Councils from gathering. This community is so supportive and enthusiastic about the arts, we loved every phase of this project and can’t wait for another opportunity to work with Gladstone.

Special thanks to the City of Gladstone, Holly Hayden, Tribble Stone, Wilkerson Crane and Round the Clock Logistics. 

See a Video of this placement

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Spot on match to the agreed upon sample.

Update 6/12/2024: Joe has been applying color to Monarch Girl the last few weeks. Since only part of the sculpture is painted to create a contrast with the stainless steel, a thorough masking of the leaping girl elements happens first, then undercoating, then a series of coats in various hues to create a rich finish on the butterfly parts.

The variation of oranges, from bright yellow-oranges to darker red-oranges, will enhance the depth of elements, particularly in the natural site. Once this cures, a series of clear-coat layers are applied, and we're really close to getting Monarch Girl installed.

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Update 6/7/2024: We dropped off the template and checked out the stone this morning, and look how much nature is loving this sculpture - two butterfly visited us while we reviewed the installation checklist. 

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Update 5/27/2024: The sculpture is coming along! Assembly and welding is almost done. What a treat to get to see a sculpture unfold. We can't wait to share the color phase!

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Update 5/8/2024: We're in the cocoon phase on this project, and getting excited to see what emerges. 

The components are cut and artist Joe Norman is preparing them for welding (grinding the edges smooth, cleaning the surfaces and giving them texture to help the paint adhere, etc)

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1/17/2024: Joe Norman and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by the City of Gladstone, Missouri to place a sculpture in their Oak Grove Park. We are excited to bring a bright sculpture to this vibrant spot where the city's Theatre in the Park is annually held. The sculpture will be placed just before the first show of the summer. 

The sculpture we proposed is Monarch Girl, which depicts a girl jumping from one direction and a Monarch Butterfly from the other. Combining the natural beauty of Oak Grove Park with the activities that the park provides makes the sculpture "Monarch Girl" ideal for this site. A child gleefully leaps into action from one point of view while a colorful monarch butterfly in flight appears from another angle. One's change in perspective makes the imagery more or less clear, abstract in-between. The interactive quality of this piece will make it of interest to those who see it regularly as much as it will for someone who encounters it once.

​Fabricated from stainless-steel with two sides painted in a vibrant epoxy paint,  a natural sandstone base will make the overall scale 8ft x 5.5ft x 5ft. 

Inspired by a photo of his daughter during a camping trip several years ago, Joe states, "That photo reminds me of the importance of what we pass on to the next generation.  

I combined that image with the Monarch Butterfly because it is an example of interdependence. I believe that is a critical value to teach our descendants and also one that allows Monarchs to migrate through North America.  I have yet to see one fly in anything resembling a straight line, yet somehow they move through habitat for thousands of miles taking several generations to complete. But, it is not a one-way relationship: we depend on them as well to pollinate plants and farmland along the way. "