Stow artist's Bipolar Butterfly Project on display at Akron Zoo

The Akron Zoo is joining the Bipolar Butterfly Project to help raise awareness and understanding for mental health. The bipolar butterfly sculpture is zoo-themed and now on display in the Akron Zoo'sLehner Family Foundation Zoo Gardens.

The butterfly sculpture was painted by Stow artist and founder of the Bipolar Butterfly Project, Kimmy Henderson. The initiative was started as a visual representative to raise awareness and show community for anyone dealing with mental health issues.

"I am bipolar with generalized anxiety disorder," Henderson said. "I painted a butterfly in the midst of that mania before being diagnosed. After finding a regime that worked best for me, I realized how well that painting represents bipolar disorder - how on one side it is beautiful and inspiring while on the other it is chaos and disaster. I feel it represents all mental illness because we try to show our best and beautiful selves on one side even when we may be crumbling on the other."

The project strives to change the stigma on mental illness and encourages support and understanding.

"I want to change the stigma on mental health," Henderson said. "I want to help end the stigma by creating a visual representation to raise awareness and show our community and unity for anyone dealing with mental health."

Henderson's butterflies have also been on display at Belden Village Mall, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and Up Front Art Space.

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Henderson also has painted butterflies on a Stow electric traffic signal box as part of the city's recent beautification project.

The sculpture was fabricated by Falls Metal Fabricators & Industrial Services, Troy Phillabaum and CLS Finishing.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $10 for children ages 2-14. Children under two are free and parking is $3. Tickets are encouraged to be purchased online in advance. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call 330-375-2550.

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