Name: Afterlives Festival: Create a Butterfly with Sarah Vigars
Start: 2026-05-16T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-16T12:00:00+01:00
Location: Exeter Library

Afterlives Festival: Create a Butterfly with Sarah Vigars

A free workshop with Sarah Vigars & Moving Parts Arts. In this workshop participants can make and decorate their own ‘Psyche’ butterfly from paper and wire, for display inside Exeter Library’s immortelle. This is an opportunity to reflect on and commemorate the memories of loved ones, passed or living, through gentle hands-on craft.

What is an Immortelle?
In Victorian times, people would place beautiful glass domes on graves, filled with precious objects, symbols and treasures to honour and remember their loved ones. Known as an ‘immortelle’, this tradition is coming back to life and we want you to be part of it!
Newcastle-based Moving Parts Arts has worked with local artist & puppet maker Sarah Vigars to create a stunning new artwork for Exeter Library inspired by this forgotten custom. Entitled ‘Psyche’, Sarah’s immortelle will be inspired by Devon’s butterflies! In Ancient Greek, the word ‘Psyche’ translates as both ‘butterfly and ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’. The transformation of a butterfly bursting from its chrysalis therefore became a potent symbol of life and death, representing the human soul as it leaves its mortal body.
Saturday 16 May, 10:00 - 12:00
Sunday 17 May, 15:00 - 17:00
This workshop will take place is a cordoned off section of the foyer in Exeter Library, near the ‘immortelle’ exhibition.
The session is free but spaces are limited so please book. Please also make sure you book the correct time slot!
Sarah Vigars is a Devon based sculptor and puppeteer whose work is primarily inspired by the natural world. Sarah enjoys working with natural materials wherever possible, including wood, paper and strings.
Part of Afterlives Festival at Exeter Library.
#LoveLibraries