Fundraising arts & sculpture trails to enjoy this summer

Melanie May | 20 July 2021 | News

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Art trails can be a great way of getting people out and about and raising valuable funds for the charities they support – generally through donations and the auctioning off of the sculptures once the trail has come to an end. Here’s a selection of the ones on offer this summer – or upcoming.

Eye Art Trail

Now in its third year, the art trail in Eye, Suffolk, features 26 large decorated tortoises and hares, and 16 minis.

The 2021 Eye Art Trail is designed to represent ‘The Way Ahead’ as the country navigates its way out of the pandemic.

The sculptures will race to The Oaksmere, Eye where they will be sold at auction on 16 September to raise money for the blossom charity.

Bristol LGBT+ Arts Trail

Taking place in central Bristol this month, LGBT+ artists from around the city have been brought together to present their art.

Organised by Artist Keir Gravil, who developed the idea of an Arts Trail for Pride, artists and venues have created space for LGBT+ artists to display photos, illustrations, prints and mosaics as part of the first Bristol LGBTQ+ Art Trail.

Each exhibit is associated with a LGBT+ charity and people can donate to it by scanning the QR code on the exhibit card to be taken to a donation page.

The Bears of Sheffield

Bears have taken to the streets of Sheffield this summer, with 100 little bears decorated by children and young people from schools across the region, and 60 big bear sculptures brought to life by professional local and international artists.

The bears can be found across the city of Sheffield and is brought to the city by The Children’s Hospital Charity, supporting Sheffield Children’s.

Forest Holme Arts Trail

‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon’ takes place each year at Forest Holme Hospice, during Hospice Awareness Month in June, and is a special commemorative event to celebrate loved ones who have passed away.

However, due to the pandemic, the hospice was unable to host the event in the usual way this year, so has asked supporters to create their own works of art inspired by the yellow ribbon.

The Forest Holme Arts Trail sees a selection on display at several locations around central Poole for people to enjoy throughout July.

Cows about Cambridge

Colourful cow sculptures have taken over the streets of Cambridge this summer, benefitting children’s charity Break.

Cows about Cambridge launched on 28 June with some 40 decorated Cow sculptures and 45 mini moos out to pasture for 10 weeks.

Produced by Wild in Art in partnership with Break, and in association with principal partner Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) and travel partner Thameslink, the trail was all set to go live in March 2020 when the first lockdown hit. Since then, the decorated fibreglass Cows have been waiting in the stalls, ready to support the city’s recovery from the pandemic.

After the trail closes on Saturday 4 September 2021 the large cow sculptures will be auctioned to raise money for Break, while the mini moos will find forever homes back with the schools and community groups that created them.

Rocket Round Leicester

Wild in Art has created Rocket Round Leicester with LOROS Hospice. An art trail of 40 giant, spectacularly-decorated rockets the trail will steer a voyage of discovery through the city’s streets and open spaces and aims to form part of the city’s post-pandemic economic recovery, as well as a brilliant day out for everyone.

Over 35 local schools and community groups have also joined the fun by designing and decorating their own miniature rocket sculptures, Junior Jets, as part of the Rocket Round Leicester Learning Programme. Creating their own trail, these smaller technicolour sculptures can be found across the city’s cultural hubs and LOROS shops, including LCB Depot, Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, Abbey Pumping Station and the Guildhall.

The trail launched on 19 July and runs until 26 September. At the end, each of the giant 8-foot high rockets will be auctioned to raise money for LOROS Hospice.

Big Trunk Trail

Recently launched and on until 8 October, Luton’s Big Trunk Trail in association with Wild in Art sees over 30 giant elephants, all uniquely decorated, leading the public around Luton’s key landmarks, streets and open spaces.

The trail is supporting Keech Hospice Care and celebrates its 30^th anniversary. 41 elephant calves, decorated by local schools and community groups are also joining the trail, and can be found gathered at six indoor public locations along it.

The end of the trail will see the sculptures auctioned to raise funds for the hospice.

The Big Hare Trail

Leuchie House is marking its 10th Anniversary with The Big Hare Trail, which is hopping its way across North Berwick for 10 weeks this summer. 

Starting in July and running until 18 September, the Wild in Art Big Hare Trail features 10 giant Hare sculptures, each one individually designed by a local artist and sponsored by a business. 

After the summer, the sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for Leuchie House.

Derby Ram Trail

In partnership with Derby Museums, the Derby Ram Trail sees 30 huge fibreglass sculptures in the shape of Derby’s mythical Ram; which, according to legend, was ten yards high with enormous horns and a huge flowing fleece.

Local sculptor Michael Pegler, who in 1995 created the famous stone ram now on Derby’s East Street, has generously allowed Derby Museums to use his Ram design for the trail sculptures.

After the trail has finished on 22 August, the sculptures will come together for one weekend before being auctioned off to raise money for Derby Museums’ Endowment Fund.

Gratitude

Launching in August in Birmingham ahead of a UK tour, Gratitude brings together 49 human form sculptures, all designed by individual artists and sponsored by different businesses who want to acknowledge key workers and pay tribute to the NHS.

After touring the UK in locations including Manchester, Edinburgh and London, the sculptures will be auctioned in autumn 2021 with substantial proceeds donated to NHS Charities Together.

Big Hoot 2022

One for next year, The Big Hoot will take place in Ipswich from June to September 2022 through Wild in Art, and will benefit St Elizabeth Hospice.

40 individually designed Big Hoot owls will be placed around Ipswich and there will also be Little Hoot Owls popping up in special locations all across town and designed by local schools and groups.

Each Big Hoot will be sponsored by a local business and individually decorated by an artist, and at the end of the trail the Big Hoots will be auctioned to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.

About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.