‘A Caregiver’s Butterfly Garden’

An imaginative and impactful art exhibit has fluttered into the Hannah Community Center. Michigan State University’s IMPART Alliance and AgeAlive initiatives, in partnership with the city of East Lansing, have teamed up to celebrate Michigan’s direct care workers through “A Caregiver’s Butterfly Garden,” a collection of hundreds of hand-painted butterflies carrying handwritten messages from caregivers and community members. 

The project debuted in January at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and is seeking additional host sites throughout the state for 2026. 

According to an April news release by project manager Rochelle Berry, Michigan is home to more than 165,000 direct care workers, professionals who provide long-term care and essential support for older adults and people with disabilities. The exhibits aim to shine a spotlight on these individuals, who often go unnoticed, Berry said. The project also serves as a call to action, highlighting the urgent shortage of direct care workers in Michigan and encouraging solutions. 

The exhibits are curated by IMPART and AgeAlive artist-in-residence Zahrah Resh. Butterflies are made using special kits containing instructions and all necessary materials. Those interested in contributing a butterfly can order their own kit or attend a community painting workshop. 

“Each butterfly carries a story of love, endurance and hope,” Resh said in a recent news release. “Together they create a living, breathing testament to the invisible heroes who bring light to others every day.” 

The East Lansing exhibit is open during regular community center hours and is free to view. For more information, including additional ways to get involved, visit impartalliance.msu.edu/butterfly-gardens.