Painted Shuttles to Orbit Space Coast

Chicago had its cows, St. Paul had its Snoopy's and Louisville and Ocala had its horses. Now Florida's Space Coast will have its own sculptures — space shuttles! In November of this year, dozens of six-foot-tall shuttle replicas will orbit the 72-mile Space Coast in celebration of NASA's 50th Anniversary.

When this announcement came across my desk, I thought it would be fun to look at some of Florida's community art projects. In 1999, Chicago's "cows" debuted and themed community art projects began sweeping the country. Artists began painting, collaging, bejeweling and bedazzling life-size fiberglass replicas of all sorts of things... all for good causes. Florida hosted its fair share of the artsy sculptures — swans (like the "Uncle Swan" pictured here), flamingos, pelicans, manatees, geckos, horses, jaguars, clowns and more. Plus, you'll never guess what's coming to Orlando this September!

^{Photo © Dawn Henthorn, licensed to About.com}