Plane Crazy is a public sculpture project sponsored by the Arts Council. It is based on successful projects in other cities such as Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” and Cincinnati’s “Big Pig Gig” and is designed to raise significant funds for local charities and inspire civic pride. Thirty-two local artists and artists’ groups have been matched up with sponsors to complete fun, whimsical airplane sculptures to decorate the streets of Wichita. Designs vary from “American Air Loons” sponsored by Ritchie Corporation to “Taxi” sponsored by Mid-Continent Airport.

“These art programs have been highly beneficial to cities such as Chicago and Cincinnati,” said John D’Angelo, executive director of the Aviation Festival. “Not only does it generate a source of civic pride and promote public art and tourism, Plane Crazy provides an outlet for the community to celebrate our aviation heritage.”

A public debut of the planes will be held Saturday, May 10 when the sculptures will be the focus of a scavenger hunt called Go Plane Crazy!, an official event of the Wichita River Festival. Maps showing the locations of the installed sculptures will be available starting May 10 at CityArts, 225 W. Lewis and on the website at http://www.aviationfestival.com/.

A live charity auction event – the Plane-It Hollywood Gala – is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 20 at Jabara Airport, part of the Aviation Festival. The Plane Crazy sculptures will be auctioned at the gala with proceeds benefiting charities designated by the sponsors of the completed sculptures. The event will include dinner and a dance in addition to the auction. The live auction will be conducted Lon McCurdy. Winners of the People’s Choice Awards will be announced. Among the invited guests will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and air show performers Patty Wagstaff, Bill Leff, Jimmy Franklin, and the Pepsi Aerial Performers.