The Bantam Jeep Community Art Project was designed to build awareness around Butler County of the 70th year of the Bantam Jeep and 1st annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, boost community spirit, promote the arts, and raise funds for Butler Downtown promotional efforts.

Seventy (70) Bantam Jeep sculptures (4 feet tall by 8 feet long, by 4 inches deep) underwent decorating and transformation at the hands of area artists and individuals. Patterned after similar public art projects such as Pittsburgh's Dinosaurs, Erie's Fish and Cleveland's Guitars – the Bantam Jeep Community Art Project features wooden, two-dimensional relief sculptures that depict a BRC-40 Bantam Jeep. This icon was selected to promote Butler's proud heritage of transportation and automobile history.

Participation

Bantam Jeep sculptures were sponsored by Butler County businesses, organizations, and residents for $250.00. Sculpture sponsors were responsible for commissioning an artist or individual to decorate and enhance the Bantam Jeep sculpture to the sponsor's and artist's styles. Art content had to be appropriate for public viewing and be family-friendly. Designs that were religious, political, or sexual in nature were not acceptable. Completed art pieces are displayed indoors and/ or outdoors; mostly accessible to the public for viewing during the June 26th – September 5th time period. Following September 5th, the sculptures will be owned by the individual sponsors.

AS OF JULY 11, 2011 ALL JEEP SCULPTURES HAVE BEEN SPONSORED AND SOLD. WE THANK ALL OF OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND CREATIVITY ON THIS PROJECT!

Although a few sculptures still remain unfinished, Butler Downtown has completed a listing of where the sculptures are located, and information about the sponsor, artist, and design theme.

Vote for Your Favorite Bantam Jeep Sculpture!

If you don't have a Facebook account, we recommend finding a friend or family member that does and have them vote for you!