Be hare or be square.

Did you happen to see a colorful group of rabbits pop up around the Gaslamp last year? If you missed them, or want to see them again up close, you’ll get your chance on Thursday, April 19, when 14 of the 15 rabbit sculptures will be on display during a free reception at the Chuck Jones Gallery. The reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m. and guests are encouraged to RSVP by calling (619) 294-9880 or emailing SanDiego@ChuckJones.com.

The rabbits, which were painted or decorated by local artists, were part of a year-long celebration of the Gaslamp Quarter’s 150th anniversary in 2017. Now, the Gaslamp Quarter Association is excited to continue the celebration through June 2018. At this free reception—fittingly, at the “home” of one of the world’s most famous rabbits, Bugs Bunny himself—guests will get to enjoy refreshments and meet the artists who collaborated with sponsors and designed these fiberglass sculptures. Plus, four rabbits will be up for adoption!

Rabbit sponsorship, or adoption, is $10,000, and sponsors enjoy many promotional benefits, including recognition on a commemorative plaque and possession of the rabbit in June. Proceeds from the sponsorships will help fund a new enhanced decorative lighting campaign on Fifth Avenue.

Coca-Cola, Ghirardelli, Hard Rock Hotel, The Pendry Hotel, Warner Bros. Television, Pacific Magazine, The San Diego Padres, The City of San Diego District #3 Councilmember Chris Ward, John Ramirez, Garden Communities and Sparks Gallery have already sponsored 11 of the rabbits.

Why rabbits? When Alonzo Horton arrived in San Diego in 1867 and dreamed of turning it into a thriving, modern city, the land near San Diego Bay was known as “rabbitville” after its most populous inhabitants. Horton, however, purchased 960 acres of land and developed it—eventually turning it into the heart of San Diego as the city grew. Today, the Gaslamp Quarter is one of San Diego’s most dynamic neighborhoods, but the Gaslamp Quarter Association wanted to recognize its humble beginnings through its 150th anniversary celebrations.

The Gaslamp Quarter Association worked with the Downtown San Diego Partnership Clean and Safe program to make this public art installation possible. The DSDP Clean and Safe Board of Directors provided Rabbitville’s initial funding, the Clean and Safe team assisted with the installation and ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the rabbits.

For more information, visit www.gaslamp.org/rabbitville.