Worcester Big Parade hopes to lift spirits after tough year during pandemic
A much-awaited public art trail featuring a rainbow herd of elephant sculptures has been launched in Worcester.
A herd of sixty-six elephants have been let loose in Worcester hoping to lift spirits following a tough year during the pandemic
A Wild in Art event, the eight-week showcase is being brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice.
Each elephant has been hand-painted by a local artist which people can visit on the trail - which is around six miles long.
It was officially launched by the Mayor of Worcester yesterday (July 13).
The trail is raising funds for the hospice’s care for patients living with serious progressive illness and their loved ones in Worcestershire.
It follows the hugely successful Worcester Stands Tall giraffe trail in 2018, which saw giraffe sculptures displayed across the city before raising £210,000 for St Richard’s at auction.
Jenny Cowpe, the new chair for St Richard’s, said: “It's the end of my first 100 days at St Richard's and what a better way to celebrate.
"It's lifted everybody's spirits from those involved with the project here at St Richard's to all the local artists, schools and colleges and out sponsors as well.
"But more than that of course when we come to auction off the elephants in October it will raise money for us to continue our care for people and their families.
Of the 66 sculptures, 30 large elephants have been designed by artists and sponsored by organisations from across the county and beyond.
There are 36 smaller calf sculptures which have been decorated by schools and community groups and are on show in city centre shop windows and Crowngate Shopping Centre.
And two digital art installations in the city will shine a light on mental health by asking trail goers ‘What’s the elephant in the room?’.
A collaborative project between St Richard’s Hospice, creative communications agency, DRPG, and mental health awareness partner, Onside, the public will have the chance to become one of 24 virtual ‘community artists’ by creating their very own Worcester’s Big Parade elephant.
At the same time, they will share what mental health means to them. Each week, three artists will be chosen from all entries and featured in the installation located within Crowngate Shopping Centre.
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, said: “Worcester’s Big Parade is a wonderful opportunity to bring business, artists, schools and communities together through the power of creativity - after a challenging 18 months or so.
“We hope everyone has fantastic fun getting out and about, discovering incredible elephants, and sharing the magical stories that inspired each work of art – and which may well inspire local artists of the future!”
Trail maps are available from points around the city, including Worcester Tourist Information Centre, Crowngate Shopping Centre and the Worcester’s Big Parade pop-up shop – located on Broad Street in the city.
Once the trail has ended, there will be a final chance to see all 66 sculptures together at farewell events at Worcestershire County Cricket Club on Thursday 30 September - Sunday 3 October and again from Thursday 7 October - Sunday 10 Oct 2021.