Art Cars are vehicles that have been creatively painted, sculpted, altered or decorated into mobile, public folk art... usually created by their individual owners and often transformed into something considerably different than what the car designers in Detroit originally intended.  Paint, glue, found objects – everything is fair game in the Art Car world, where the credo often heard is "more is better", and car exteriors and interiors are transformed into highly individualized works of art.  More than just parade floats, true Art Cars are permanently decorated and many are driven daily by their owners.  There are several hundred Art Cars nationwide, including over a dozen in the Chicago area.

"A good time was had by all in Berwyn, IL… They called it Cartopia with around 30 art cars being involved in the parade & display.  For a first year event that's a lot of cars. There was even a Polka Band to keep everyone's toes tapping & faces smiling.  Keep an eye out for this one next year. We hope to return."

Dave Major, Kansas,
(Aerocar) on the "artcarz" Yahoo Newsgroup

"This event was even better than I had hoped …I felt like I was treated like a valued participant at every turn – from the other art car artists, the people who put on Cartopia, from the media.  This was my first time out with my car and it was just such a positive experience."

Lily Rusnak, Villa Park

Cartopia kicked off on Friday night at Cermak Plaza. The community was invited to meet the artists at a reception entitled Carbaret - an evening of  food, drink and a live performance by the very talented Roxy Bellows.  Afterwards, artist & local celebrity painted hubcaps were auctioned to benefit Youth In Crisis, Inc.

The Cartopia Parade kicked off at 1 pm on Saturday. Headed up by Grand Marshall Svengoolie, a stream of art cars cruised the streets of Berwyn. The event wrapped up at Cermak Plaza with entertainment and a chance to meet the artists. By the official end of the Cartopia day, well over 5000 people had witnessed their first Art Car event in Chicagoland.