The Fly Arts Center Launches Vibrant Public Art Campaign to Promote Local Arts and Reinvigorate the Heritage of Bedford County, TN
- bedfordcoart
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Champions On Parade will feature life-size fiberglass horse statues designed and painted by local artists to be placed on public display throughout Bedford County.
The Fly Arts Center, home of the Bedford County Arts Council, is pleased to announce its upcoming public art campaign, Champions On Parade. This program is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission, and is designed to use art as a way to revitalize interest in the culture and history of Bedford County.
Champions On Parade is inspired by Chicago's 1999 Cows On Parade public art campaign. But instead of cows, Bedford County will have brightly colored and creatively decorated life-size horses on display for the public to enjoy.
The horses of Champions On Parade will be painted by Bedford County artists. Each will then be put on public display throughout our county. An online map will be made available to the public to help the members of our community and out of town visitors go on a self-guided scavenger hunt to see all of the horses on display. Each horse will offer a learning opportunity about our local history and heritage through art.
The first finished horse will be revealed on Saturday, October 18, 2025 during our Champions On Parade Unveiling Gala and Open House. Everyone is invited and welcome to join in the excitement.
More horses will continue to join the parade one-by-one throughout 2025, 2026 and 2027 to go on public display throughout Bedford County.
Then in 2027, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bedford County Arts Council and the 100th anniversary of The Fly building, the Champions On Parade horses will be auctioned off to raise money for The Fly Arts Center.
The Fly Arts Center is calling on Bedford County residents to help make Champions On Parade a success. Here's how to get involved:
ARTISTS
Bedford County, TN artists are invited to submit their designs for The Fly Arts Center's public art installation campaign, Champions On Parade. Upon approval, each artist will be paid a $1,000 stipend due at completion. Each artist's name will be included, along with the horse sponsor and horse host, on a permanent plaque on the horse statue's chest.
(https://www.flyartscenter.com/design-a-horse)
BUSINESS OWNERS, ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS & MUNICIPALITIES
Businesses, individuals and organizations are invited to show their support for Champions On Parade by becoming horse sponsors.
Horse sponsors would provide the funds needed to cover the cost to manufacture each horse. That cost is $4,000.
You can also show their support for Champions On Parade by becoming horse hosts. Horse hosts provide a location for a horse to be displayed. Horse host display locations must have easy and open access for the public viewing. This location can be either indoor or outdoor. Host locations must be in Bedford County, TN. High traffic areas are preferred. There is no cost to host a horse.
In exchange, the horse sponsor and host would be listed on a plaque placed permanently on the chest of each statue, along with the name of the artist responsible for painting the horse. Scannable QR codes will also be placed on statue plaques to lead viewers to more information about each horse sponsor, host and artist, and to provide more information about the horse’s design and its significance to our local history and cultural heritage.
Horse sponsors may also be horse hosts, and hosts may also be sponsors.
(https://www.flyartscenter.com/sponsor-a-horse)
(https://www.flyartscenter.com/host-a-horse)
Champions On Parade will also need support from our local government offices to help ensure these horses can be displayed safely in accordance with all laws.
For full program information, please visit https://www.flyartscenter.com/champions.
The Fly Arts Center is located at 204 South Main Street in Shelbyville, TN 37160. The Bedford County Arts Council is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
