Bright Idea Bucky by artist Kathryn Schnabel and located outside Central Library in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.
I’M NO SPORTS FAN. Nothing wrong with that. Sports don’t interest me. Art does.
So even I can appreciate Bucky on Parade, a public art endeavor in the city of Madison and in Dane County, Wisconsin, that simultaneously promotes athletics and art.
Visitors written ideas and inspirations are incorporated into the fabric of the Bright Idea Bucky.
The Madison Area Sports Commission produced the event with support from local tourism and the University of Wisconsin—Madison. UW is home to the Buckingham U. “Bucky” Badger mascot, star of Bucky on Parade.
Butterflies cover this statue created by Lon Michels and titled Enlightened Bucky. It’s located at 100 W. Mifflin Street.
I photographed three of the 85 Bucky Badger works of art during a recent visit to Wisconsin’s capital city. I wasn’t purposely looking for Bucky, thus only the trio. The personalized fiberglass statues of 64 local and regional artists are on display until September 12.
“Grow” by Emmalee Pearson and outside the Olbrich Botanical Gardens entry.
On September 29, the statues will be auctioned at a Bucky on Parade Finale Party with proceeds benefiting Garding Against Cancer, the Madison Area Sports Commission and other community charities.
Wisconsin’s Bucky Badger, like Minnesota’s Goldy Gopher, is a big deal to fans, and the economy. I didn’t have to look beyond downtown Madison to find Bucky merchandise…
and, uh, Badger Liquor.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love the art Badgers!
Fun idea, isn’t it?
I like when cities and states commission the creation of a bunch of blank statues and let people create them however! Similar to the Peanuts statues around the Twin Cities about a decade ago
Yup. And two of those Peanuts statues are inside the Faribo West Mall.
Nice, there is a family in New Prague that has one in their front yard! I can only imagine what they paid for it!
A lot.
I enjoy seeing everyone’s ideas put on the same form- just like the Mauston cows! Have you ever checked out the Mankato Walking Sculpture Tour? I have never done the whole walk – but have seen many just driving in Mankato. Amazing and unique creative ideas and works!!
Yes, I’ve seen the Mankato sculptures, but not recently. Thanks for the reminder to return and peruse this outdoor art.
Like you, I’m not a sports fan. But Bucky Badger is a neat idea. I especially like the one entitled ‘Grow’. And how nice is it that all these sculptures get auctioned off to benefit the fight against cancer.
Badger Liquors….too funny! And you can also get your ice cubes there!
🔹 Ginger 🔹
Ah, you have an attentive eye to notice the ice cubes sign. I wondered if any of my readers would catch that. I, too, find that hilarious.
Love art installations like this – the creativity is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I’m with you. Any time art is easily accessible to the public seems an all around good thing.
What fun…reminds me of the cows in Mauston…and the shoes in Red Wing…
When you start thinking about it, many communities have such themed outdoor art to promote their communities.
Bucky is really cute! That would make a fun treasure hunt to find all of them! Did you notice that the clouds reflected in the window on the last picture look like a giant hand shake?
No, I didn’t notice that about the last image. But, yes, I see it. Love that.
That’s a neat idea to auction off the Bucky’s, I’m just thinking who would want this large figures, and what would they do with them ? I’m guess some pretty die-hard fans will bid on them and perhaps display them in their yards….maybe?
Yeah, I don’t know. But people love Bucky…