The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs is set to unveil its annual Wings of Change sculpture collection at a free public event later this month, bringing together local artists, community supporters, and public art enthusiasts for the program's 19th consecutive year.
The official unveiling — billed as a first private viewing — is scheduled for August 28, 2026, at The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum at 215 N. Tejon Street, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Grand Reveal event is free to the public.
This year's collection of original sculptures by local artists, including three hummingbird pieces by Al B., marks the 19th year of the fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Colorado Springs schools, scholarships, teacher recognition programs, and Rotary service projects at home and abroad. The 2026 collection also introduces a new subject: hummingbirds join the program's established butterfly and dragonfly sculptures for the first time this year.
The choice of insects as subject matter is intentional — both butterflies and dragonflies are symbols of transformation, something Wings of Change exists to promote. Rotary Club Past President Trevor Dierdorff said the event is "our community's first opportunity to experience this year's collection and meet the talented artists whose creativity makes Wings of Change possible."
Following the unveiling, the artwork will be placed on display throughout Colorado Springs for residents and visitors until being auctioned during the Wings of Change Celebration on October 3, 2026, at Hotel Polaris at 8989 Northgate Blvd., from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with cocktails and a silent auction, dinner and live auction, and a raffle. The celebration and auction has attracted bidders from throughout the United States.
A raffle offers a lower-cost way to participate, with only 2,000 tickets available at $10 each, purchasable through any Rotary Club member or at Altus Wealth Group, 423 S. Cascade Ave.
The Wings of Change campaign is one of two major community initiatives the Rotary Club is pursuing this year. The organization is also renovating the historic 1914 Acacia Park Bandshell, which will henceforth be known as the Rotary Club Bandshell at Acacia Park and is planned to host more than 100 events annually. Together, the two campaigns are described by the organization as exemplifying Rotary's commitment to creating places where people can gather, experience the arts, and build stronger personal connections.
The October 3 auction at Hotel Polaris will be the next major milestone for the program, and it remains to be seen how the expanded 2026 collection — including the debut hummingbird sculptures — will perform among bidders.