Published Wednesday, June 18
An iconic staple of the Conservatory, the annual Blooms & Butterflies exhibition is an exciting experience for thousands of people every year. For many, walking through the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome is a new, enchanting experience watching and interacting with vibrant exotic butterflies, waiting for one to land on their arm or back. For Art Cullman and his family, walking through the exhibition today carries a deeper meaning.
To Nancy and Art Cullman, Blooms & Butterflies was a familiar, beloved exhibition for many years. From the early days of the Conservatory when Nancy worked in the gift shop (now called Botanica Gift Shop), they loved visiting the Conservatory, especially the annual Blooms & Butterflies exhibition. Walking through the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome, observing and interacting with hundreds of butterflies and enjoying the beautiful array of nectar flowers became a cherished activity for them, bringing along children and grandchildren to share in the timeless experience. Their appreciation and love for butterflies even grew beyond the Conservatory. In their later years, Art and Nancy began raising Monarch butterflies at their wintertime home in Naples, Florida, nurturing them throughout their life cycle and advocating for Monarch conservation.
When Nancy passed away in early 2023, her family wanted to honor her in a special way. Together, they chose to make a generous donation to the Blooms & Butterflies exhibition at the Conservatory. Nancy loved the Conservatory and the beauty of butterflies, and her family wanted to ensure that others could enjoy it, just as much as she did, for years to come. With the generosity of the Cullman Family, Blooms & Butterflies has been enhanced in transformative ways:
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In the Metamorphosis Lab, upgraded equipment including a humidifier, air conditioner, new release bins (and more!) ensures a controlled environment for chrysalises and helps our staff release butterflies more efficiently every day.
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In the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome, new air curtains and vents improve butterfly management, and new feeding stations blend in with the environment and provide ample food for our butterflies.
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Visitor experience improvements, including revamped exhibition signage, new Ambassador stands, and larger mirrors, enhance each guest’s experience while improving butterfly containment.
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A lasting tribute to Nancy is now placed in the South Bridge hallway to the exhibition. Two dedicated benches serve as a place for guests to pause, rest and honor Nancy’s love for nature.
Recently, Art and two of his and Nancy’s children, Carolyn and Jeff, paid a visit to the Conservatory to see the meaningful enhancements made to Blooms & Butterflies in Nancy’s honor. They experienced firsthand the improvements made with their generous gift and spent time sharing memories and honoring Nancy’s spirit. Art loves to visit the Conservatory when he is in town, and he still continues to find joy in raising Monarchs while remembering the 60 years of love he shared with Nancy.
Thank you to the Cullman family for choosing to honor Nancy in such a meaningful way at the Conservatory, and for sharing their story with us.
Interested in making a tribute gift? Contact Marly Coldiron, Individual Giving Manager, at [email protected].