ANTIGO, Wis. — August 10, 2026 — A colorful new butterfly sign now welcomes visitors to the Wild Ones butterfly garden along Springbrook Trail on 2nd Avenue, on the property of Johnson Electric Coil Company, Inc. in Antigo.
The new sign is the result of a creative collaboration between the Wild Ones Northwoods Gateway Chapter and Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), combining a shared appreciation for native plants, pollinators, art, and environmental stewardship.
The previous sign at the butterfly garden had become worn and faded over time. Rather than simply replacing it, Wild Ones saw an opportunity to create something unique through AVA’s ongoing plastic bottle cap art project.
The new sign features artwork on both sides. Facing 2nd Avenue is a large monarch butterfly made from recycled plastic bottle caps. Its size and colorful design make it an eye-catching feature along the trail and provide a fun photo opportunity, particularly for children.
The opposite side features a colorful collage of butterflies native to Northcentral Wisconsin, along with the native plants that support them. Karen Now and Kim Schoenrock of Antigo Visual Arts painted the butterfly artwork on the back of the sign.
The project was developed and worked on over several weeks during the winter. Those contributing their time and creativity to the bottle caps and painting included Wild Ones Northwoods Gateway Chapter members Jen Ventura, Judy Campbell, Beth Castaldi, and Karen Now, along with Antigo Visual Arts member Kim Schoenrock. Karen Now is a member of both organizations.
The completed sign was installed Friday, August 7, with Kim Schoenrock of Antigo Visual Arts and Ken and Beth Castaldi helping with the installation.
Jen Ventura of the Wild Ones Northwoods Gateway Chapter said the new sign will help draw attention to the importance of the garden and the plants growing there.
“The bottle cap butterfly sign is stunning. To anyone walking the trail, this sign will draw even greater attention to the pollinator garden and the vital role of our native plants.”
The project also continues Antigo Visual Arts’ long-running plastic bottle cap art initiative. The project began in 2019, inspired by Greg Koeppel’s recycled art garden. Initially started at the Antigo Public Library, the project has grown to include creative installations at locations throughout the community, including Springbrook Trail, the Boys and Girls Club, and behind Bradley Funeral Home with “The Resting Flag.”
Other bottle cap art projects can be found at the Humane Society and Antigo Middle School. Some artists have also created traveling pieces, including Vicki Eldridge’s “Ethyl” the eagle, which has been displayed at City Hall and City Gas Company.
The plastic bottle cap project is designed to raise awareness about waste, inspire positive environmental change, and encourage a deeper connection with the natural world through art.
The new Wild Ones butterfly sign is another example of how local organizations can work together to turn recycled materials into meaningful public art while highlighting the importance of pollinators and native plants.