The foliage won’t be the only thing making New York City colorful this fall! A stunning butterfly-themed exhibit has fluttered into the American Museum of Natural History. The museum corridor underwent a metamorphosis into an artistic celebration of one of nature’s most incredible journeys.
Applicably titled Monarch’s Journey, the installation displays the work of renowned artist and cartoonist Peter Kuper, whose lively illustrations bring the impressive migration of monarch butterflies to life.
Where is the exhibit?
Having opened on October 16, the exhibition has already been welcoming visitors for nearly a month at the American Museum of Natural History. It is located on the second floor of the Richard Gilder Center and will be floating around through October 2029.
The exhibit immerses visitors with vibrant butterfly imagery and video, creating an intimate experience that blends art, science, and environmental storytelling.
But there’s much more to these beautiful butterflies than meets the eye.
What inspired Kuper to illustrate this exhibit?
According to The New York Times, every year, millions of monarch butterflies embark on an extraordinary migration, traveling thousands of miles from the northern United States and Canada to their wintering grounds in the mountain forests of central Mexico.
Kuper’s artwork captures the many wonders of this journey while drawing attention to the environmental challenges monarchs are currently facing. Habitat loss, climate change, and the decline of milkweed populations have all contributed to worries about the butterflies’ future.
Kuper’s hope is that by bringing their story into the museum, the exhibit will offer visitors a colorful reminder of just how interconnected art, nature, and conservation can be.
While Kuper’s exhibit does not necessarily have real butterflies fluttering around, the museum still offers an exciting opportunity to see these winged wonders up close. The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, located within the museum, presents an experience to walk amongst a variety of living butterflies from around the world.
Here’s what to know before you go!
- Where: American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West in NYC
- Exhibition Name: Monarch’s Journey
- Artist: Peter Kuper
- Location: Second Floor, Richard Gilder Center
- Admission: Included with general admission to the museum
- Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Whether you’re visiting with kids or simply want to see something that’s not common in the city, Monarch’s Journey is here for you. The exhibit is a great reminder that some of nature’s most incredible spectacles are happening right above our heads!
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