Retro-spectacle will present both a small retrospective of Michael Crowder's sculpture and will premiere his newest oeuvre, an immersive installation titled Mariposa mori. The installation transforms part of the gallery into a 19th century collector's cabinet of curiosities that displays hundreds of cast glass butterflies in dark wood cases.

Michael Crowder is a mixed media sculptor who exhibits across the country and internationally. Originally from New Orleans, he is currently based in Houston. His conceptually-driven sculpture often incorporates museum artifacts made of glass particles fused together in a variation of the ancient pâte de verre technique.

Exploring ideas of fragility and impermanence, his work is sometimes cast using very ephemeral materials — from sugar or chocolate to marble dust or cigarette ashes.

An opening reception is set for 6-8 p.m. Sept. 6, followed by a gallery talk on Sept. 7 at 2-4 p.m.