Collaborative Story by Heather Haney & John Hartt
Photos by Heather Haney, Calluna’s Lens
Front yards across Manassas are trading political slogans and contractor advertisements for something far stranger; and infinitely more cheerful. Poking out between rose bushes and standing guard beside driveways and walkways, vibrant wooden creatures with eccentric grins and wonky eyes are staking a claim on neighborhood turf.
These delightful characters are the brainchildren of local artist John Hartt, known across the community as “Jortt.” And around here, these colorful oddities go by one name: Gubers.
Hartt’s subscription project operates like a living gallery rotation. Instead of buying a static piece of outdoor art, locals sign-up to host a Guber on their lawn, where it stays staked in the ground
for one month. Then, like clockwork, Hartt swaps it for a fresh character. One month a lawn might host strange creatures; the next, a whimsical gumball machine.
The initiative transforms ordinary suburbs into playful scavenger hunts, swapping out the polarizing, often sterile tone of traditional yard signs for pure, unadulterated whimsy. Passersby
frequently stop to take second looks, children giggle, and neighbors now track which Guber landed down the street.
By turning local front yards into rotating exhibition spaces, Hartt has managed to inject daily surprise into neighborhood routines. “My goal is simple, I want my art to make people
smile.” replied Hartt when asked what the purpose of all these silly cut-out creatures around town.
In a landscape often dominated by partisan signs and landscaper phone numbers, the Gubers offer a simple, vibrant alternative: art that doesn’t ask for a vote, just a smile.
About John Hartt – known artistically as Jortt, he is a Manassas based visual artist specializing in pop surrealism, and whimsical character illustration. Known for his vibrant palette, bold
character designs, and distinct “oddball” aesthetic, Hartt creates work driven by a simple goal: to make people smile and spark imaginative connections through art. His work ranges from
original canvas paintings to large scale public art installations, including regional murals across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Featured in regional gallery exhibitions and
publications, Jortt actively contributes to the thriving creative community of Northern Virginia.
To view current portfolio works, request commissioned pieces, or learn more about upcoming exhibitions, visit jortt.com or follow him on social media FB: @Jortt.Art IG: @jo.rtt