The Monarch Butterfly Art Show opened on February 1, 2026, at Treats Ice Cream Shop in Nevada City. Seventeen local artists contributed paintings, drawings, collages, and sculptures inspired by monarch butterflies and their caterpillars.
All proceeds from the sale of artwork will be used to purchase native milkweed, which will be distributed through BYLT (Bear Yuba Land Trust), Mike the Bee Guy, and other community projects that promote the planting of milkweed throughout western Nevada County.
A gathering of monarch butterflies is called a “flutter,” and this exhibition brings together a vibrant flutter of artistic voices in support of monarch conservation.
“Treats has always been about community, creativity, and caring for the place we live,” said Peggy Wright, artist, organizer of the show, and co-owner of Treats Ice Cream. “This art show lets us celebrate the beauty of monarchs while directly supporting the simple, powerful act of planting milkweed to help them survive.”
The exhibition was juried by LeeAnn Brook, who selected Katie Carter, Mara Sprier, Lauren Fogiel, and Bob Branstrom to receive Juror’s Awards. The show will be on display at Treats Ice Cream, 210 Main Street, Nevada City, for the entire month of February.
BYLT’s Monarch Meadow Project is part of the Planting the Seed initiative, a community-based effort to transform Nevada County into a monarch flyway. Proceeds from artwork sales will fund milkweed seed for school seed-planting education programs, Bear Yuba Land Trust restoration projects, and Mike the Bee Guy’s educational classes. More information is available at https://www.bylt.org/monarch-meadow-project/ and FB Nevada County Monarchs and Milkweeds.
Milkweed is critical to monarch survival—it is the only plant where monarchs lay their eggs and the primary food source for monarch caterpillars. Artists who care deeply about the monarch and its life cycle were invited to participate in this show.
The public is invited to view—and purchase—these unique monarch butterfly art pieces at Treats throughout February.