I visited the Butterfly House on a recent trip to the Museum of Life and Sciences in Durham. I love to see the different shades of wings flitting by, sometimes landing on leaves or drinking from a slice of orange. Seeing the butterflies in their adult form is beautiful, but the Butterfly House also shows a wall of caterpillars in various stages of the life cycle. It's a reminder that it takes the small bug a lot of time and energy to wriggle itself out of its chrysalis before it can transform into its new form.
“Every change leaves a mark. Every stage reveals a new skin.” This guiding phrase captures the essence of Metamorphosis, an exhibition at the Arts Council that reflects on transformation through growth, identity, and rebirth. The works are all by Stephany Placencio and are displayed at the conclusion of her stint as the Southeastern Artist in Residence.
“I hope visitors feel inspired to reflect on their own transformations and recognize the beauty in every stage of personal evolution,” the artist explains. With organic textures, warm colors, and recurring symbols like butterflies, honeycombs, and roots, Placencio invites viewers to witness change not as loss, but as emergence.
Themes of motherhood, identity, and connection with nature flow throughout the exhibition, offering a deeply emotional and spiritual perspective on what it means to evolve.
“Although my theme and paintings might seem directed mainly toward women, each piece is open to interpretation. What I truly want is for everyone to take away the message that life itself is a constant transformation, not only motherhood, but every stage we face,” says Placencio. “It’s about turning challenges into growth, and finding strength in change.”
Her residency marked a personal transformation as well.
“I’m proud of myself for having the courage to take this step and join the residency,” she shares. “At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it because of the language barrier, but I faced it and made it through. It makes me proud to realize that I can keep following my dreams without letting anything hold me back.”
Placencio was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and is now based in Fayetteville.
Through Metamorphosis, she not only explored the evolving forms of her art but also rediscovered her own strength and voice.
“I learned to trust my process and embrace imperfection as part of transformation,” she reflects. Her wings, now fully developed, are on display at the Arts Council from Nov. 21 to Dec. 19.