'Butterfly' artist visits East Rockaway School

Paul Villinski installed his butterfly sculpture at Centre Avenue School in East Rockaway.

Courtesy Linda Grace/East Rockaway Schools

Students had the opportunity to ask artist Paul Villinski about his work.

Courtesy Linda Grace/East Rockaway Schools

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Artist Paul Villinski visited Centre Avenue School on February 16 to install a cobalt-blue butterfly sculpture. He presented a PowerPoint of his artwork and spoke to the fifth- and first-graders about following their dreams.

Villinski takes everyday objects that he finds, such as crushed cans, police barriers and clothing, and recycles them into tiny creatures of flight. His works have been exhibited in galleries nationwide, including recently Museum of Arts and Design in New York and Prospect 1 International Art Biennial in New Orleans. He was able to come to the class courtesy of the PTA, who had a memorial fund set up for a former student of Grace’s who died.

“Paul offered us the art, his professional installation and his time to teach the students,” said Grace. “He donated three books of his art — one for our library, one for me for giving him the opportunity to be part of this project, and one for the student’s parents. He spent time with them so that they could learn about his art and he could learn about their child.

“Now all students and staff are greeted by beautiful symbolic butterflies,” Grace said. “They represent joy and happiness — words used to describe this child who was always smiling!”