Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is bringing Tasha Wahl's Butterfly Effect, a global public art and philanthropy project, to Alexandria. Alexandria residents helped create the mural, which is located on the side of Bloomers at 924 King Street. Through September 8, visitors will be able to take a picture with the butterfly wings and select a charity of their choice from a list of almost 250 local and national 501c3 nonprofits to receive a $5 donation, with funding provided by Ms. Wahl and an anonymous donor through ACT for Alexandria. (See below for instructions on donations.)

The Butterfly Effect highlights the opportunity for everyone to embody the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, becoming the change they want to see in the world by facilitating small acts of kindness, encouraging generosity, and promoting creativity. It is modeled after Edward Lorenz’s “Butterfly Effect” theory that even the softest flutter of a wing can affect the molecules around it, setting off a chain reaction that amplifies into major change. In three years, more than 200 social butterflies have been installed worldwide.

Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker first learned about the Butterfly Effect on Instagram and applied for the opportunity to bring a mural to Alexandria. Upon selection by Ms. Wahl earlier this year, Vice Mayor Bennett-Parker worked with her to customize the mural by including the phrase “Be the Change You Want to See in the World” in additional languages (Spanish and Arabic), as well as the hashtag #InclusiveALX.

“I’m excited to bring the Butterfly Effect to Alexandria because it will build community, promote vibrancy on upper King Street, and highlight nonprofits in a fun, interactive way. I’m thankful to Tasha Wahl for her vision in starting this global project and for choosing Alexandria; to Asana Partners and Bloomers for providing the space for the mural; and to the members of the community who brought it to life, ” she said.