The Rusty Iris

The Rusty Iris is the artistic love child of a dedicated Central Virginia community. She is the way we share our art and you, in fact, are key to her final expression.

Bad Hat Fire Troupe

Bad Hat Fire Troupe is our rag tag crew of builders who also love fire. Bad Hat fire spinners dazzle the crowd with high energy fire performances using hula-hoops, staffs, fire breathing, and more. We are insured and coordinate with organizers for a smooth, safe, impactful experience.

Hire Rusty and Bad Hat Fire

How can Rusty enliven your event?

Rusty is a destination - meant to be climbed on, walked through, and hung around. During the day she works as an interactive centerpiece. Guests explore both floors, take in the art gallery, and gather around the sound system. Kids climb. Adults linger. The upper deck gives people a view they weren't expecting. As the evening comes on, Rusty shifts. The fire flowers light up, the whole installation glows, and Bad Hat Fire - our companion performance delivers choreographed fire spinning shows that pull a crowd from anywhere on the grounds. Poi, staff, fans, and more, performed by experienced artists with a spotless safety record. She carries a crowd from the first family through the gate to the last person out.

"The Rusty Art Bus is one of those rare creations that doesn’t just show up — it transforms a space. Wherever it lands, it brings a surge of color, curiosity, and connection. Part art installation, part performance stage, part roaming gathering place, it brings an eye-popping spirit of community to events. It's a reminder that the most meaningful conversations start with a little bit of wonder."

- Paul Beyer - executive director TomTom Foundation, Charlottesville VA

Interactive Art Experience

Park her and let her be. Both floors open to the public. Guests climb, explore, take in the gallery, and return to view throughout the day. She changes the energy of whatever space she's in.

Side Stage

The upper deck lounge was built for a DJ. Plug in, point the sound system at your crowd, and Rusty becomes a second stage - or a first one. She adds a visual anchor that a tent or scaffold simply cannot.

Fire Performances with Bad Hat Fire & Rusty DJs

Choreographed, experienced, and built to stop a crowd mid-stride. Shows work with Rusty as a standalone set or alongside your main stage. Add Rusty Dj's for a complete experience.

Workshops

Hands-on programming woven into your event schedule - metalworking and fabrication, flow arts, fire basics. Designed around your audience and your vibe.

Participate!

Here are ways you can stay up to date on Rusty's adventures and support her continued transformation.

History of Rusty & Mutant Vehicles

"The Rusty Iris Art Bus is one of our absolute favorite collaborators and we've worked with them for many years. The bus itself is a total showstopper - a transformed school bus turned into this glowing, immersive, multi-level art piece that instantly becomes the heart of any event! Wendy, Kirk, and the Rusty Iris team bring such a unique energy and sense of magic to everything they’re part of and we truly can’t recommend them highly enough. Their performances are breathtaking and they are consistently professional, safety-conscious, and just really easy to work with. 10/10."

Ewa Harr -

executive director - IX Arts Foundation

Charlottesville, VA