Behind the Scenes at the Butterfly House

Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (photo – mural by Rachael Knight).
To give some perspective, the mural is about five feet from top to bottom.

If you’ve ever been to the Butterfly House (BFH) you’ve probably seen the many butterflies, other insects, and scorpions and spiders on display. What you probably haven’t seen is the mural in the above photograph. That’s because the mural is on a wall in a back hallway of the BFH which is not open to the public.

Likewise, if you’ve been to the BFH, you’ve probably met Rachael Knight (Entomology Specialist). Rachael is the artist behind the mural. She worked on the mural after hours, after all of the visitors had gone home and Rachael’s regular tasks for the day were completed, obviously a passion of Rachael’s.

No photo can do justice to a painting, the mural is striking and is worthy of praise.

Rachael has just started working on another mural. I don’t know what it is yet but I think I spotted at least one butterfly wing taking shape.

Not sure but it looks like the wing of a butterfly at the bottom.
Santa’s Sleigh, parked for the day.

Rachael, along with Wendy Aldwyn, Art Director here at the Museum, also had a hand in the paint job on Santa’s Sleigh. If you’ve taken a ride on the Santa Train (if you haven’t, you should) you may have seen the sleigh in all it’s sparkling, flashing-light glory on it’s landing pad out by the train tunnel.

Rachael with some of her friends.

Rachael is one of many people whose talent goes well beyond what they do under their official titles here at the Museum. Stop by and say hello to Rachael next time you’re in the BFH. I’m sure she’d be glad to talk to you about insects, or art.

Thanks Rachael.

2 responses to Behind the Scenes at the Butterfly House

  1. Sherry says:

    Read some of Rachael’s blog posts:

    /keepers/2011/08/29/magicicadas/

    /keepers/2011/05/18/scorplings/

    • Greg Dodge says:

      Thanks for mentioning Rachael’s posts on the Animal Department’s Blog, which I unfortunately neglected to do.

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