Dance of the Butterflies

ARTIST: Isaac Kidder

Price $12,000

Personal Statement

• Isaac Kidder creates transformative artistic experiences that bridge the worlds of visual art, science, and music therapy. His multidisciplinary practice, rooted in metal and wood sculpture, extends to painting, photography, and interactive installations. Through his work, Kidder explores fundamental themes of balance, symmetry, and connectivity, often incorporating elements that invite viewer participation and playful engagement. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Studio Art from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN), Kidder began developing a unique artistic approach that merges scientific concepts with creative expression. Kidder received his Master of Music Therapy degree from Augsburg University (Minneapolis, MN), and he creates interactive sculptural installations that reflect his deep interest in the healing potential of art and music. Kidder's public sculptures have gained recognition across the Midwest, with installations spanning ten states from Michigan to South Dakota. His recent works have earned notable acclaim, including the 2022-2023 People's Choice Awards in Minnesota at both Hopkins ArtStreet and the Delano Sculpture Walk. His sculptures have been featured in prestigious venues and events, from the ArtPrize festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan to SculptureWalk Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Beyond his sculptural work, Kidder maintains an active practice in commissioned pet portraits, photography, and graphic design. His photography has been featured in publications for organizations including St. Olaf College and Seattle Sailing Club. Having lived in Los Angeles, California and Champaign, Illinois, Kidder now works from his studio in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he continues to develop artwork that challenges traditional boundaries between visual art, functionality, and healing. Through his diverse body of work, Kidder demonstrates art's capacity to heal, transform, and inspire critical thinking while maintaining an element of joy and discovery. His practice stands as a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary approaches in contemporary art.

Sculpture Statement

• "Dance of the Butterflies” captures a fleeting moment observed at Ponca State Park, transforming the aerial choreography of two white butterflies into a meditation on connection and independence. Rising from separate origins, their spiraling paths intertwine in a graceful dance of near-touch and separation. Rendered in steel and negative space, the sculpture reflects the beauty of encounters that don’t require contact—parallel journeys that briefly align before diverging. It invites reflection on the poetry of shared moments and the balance between unity and individual freedom."

• Dimensions: 8 ft (H) x 4 ft (W) x 2 ft (D) (at base: 3 ft x 1 ft 9 in)
• Weight: 100 pounds
• Materials: Steel, acrylic

The Delano Annual Sculpture Walk is made possible through the efforts and grants from: