“Taking Flight” is more than just a sculpture. It embodies transformation. It represents the spirit of Morgan’s Wonderland. This park is designed for individuals with special needs. The “Taking Flight Bronze Sculpture” stands tall at the entrance. It offers a warm welcome.
This magnificent piece is 25 feet tall. The “Taking Flight Bronze Sculpture” greets everyone. It sets the tone for adventure. The sculpture weighs over 6,000 pounds.
Look closely at the sculpture’s details. See the butterfly poised to take flight. It is held by a child’s outstretched hands. This reflects the park’s theme. The theme is about breaking free. It is about achieving the impossible. Gordon Hartman founded The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. He said the park lets children and adults “get out of their cocoons and fly.”
The foundation supports those with special needs. It invests in organizations that serve them. The “Taking Flight Bronze Sculpture” symbolizes this mission.
Doug Roper is the artist behind “Taking Flight.” He donated nearly 80% of his time to create it. Roper was inspired by a photo. The photo showed an adult and child reaching for a butterfly. Butterflies represent metamorphosis. They symbolize unrestricted play. This is true regardless of physical limitations.
The sculpture consists of 6,200 pounds of bronze. It also contains 1,500 pounds of stainless steel. The butterfly wings are stainless steel. The hands are cast bronze. The “Taking Flight Bronze Sculpture” was once the largest cast bronze in South Texas.
The “Taking Flight Bronze Sculpture’s” original clay sculpture was enlarged. Styrofoam and steel bracing were used. A half-inch of classic clay covered it. Deep in the Heart art foundry cast the sculpture. It is in Bastrop, Texas.
Roper’s love for art began in his childhood. He lived in Europe, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Waldine Tauch encouraged him. He trained at the Warren Hunter School of Art.
“Taking Flight” is a symbol of freedom. It is a reminder that anything is possible. It inspires all to embrace their own metamorphosis. The “Taking Flight Bronze Sculpture” invites everyone to soar. It is a beacon of hope. It reflects the magic within Morgan’s Wonderland.