A PARADE of colourful elephants will march into Worcester next summer to form the city’s second, spectacular, public art trail – raising funds for St Richard’s Hospice.
Elephant sculptures will line the streets and open spaces for eight weeks in 2021, creating Worcester’s Big Parade – a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s.
Today’s launch reveals the follow-up to 2018’s Worcester Stands Tall, which saw giraffe sculptures displayed for 10-weeks before raising £210,000 for the hospice at auction.
At least 30 elephant sculptures will form the free art trail – running from Saturday, July 10 to Sunday, September 5 2021.
The sculptures will be sponsored by businesses and brought to life with designs crafted by artists from Worcestershire and beyond.
Tricia Cavell, fund-raising director at St Richard’s, said: “I am so excited at the thought of a parade of elephants standing among Worcester’s iconic attractions, bringing colour and fun to the city.
“Worcester’s Big Parade will offer everyone a fabulous day out and will get people exploring parts of the city they may not have visited before.
“Another collective name for elephants is a ‘memory’ and we hope our next art trail will bring people together to remember loved ones, while creating new memories.”
The large sculptures will be joined by elephant calf sculptures which will be covered in artwork by students and community groups.
At the end of the trail, the large sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for the hospice’s care to patients, loved ones and bereaved people across Worcestershire.
Mrs Cavell continued: “A variety of sponsorship packages are available for businesses to join the parade and help make something truly memorable for Worcester and St Richard’s Hospice.
“We thank everyone who has shown such enthusiasm for a second art trail – we wouldn’t have come this far without them!”
Wild in Art, the creative production company behind Worcester’s Big Parade, has brought together communities with its sculpture trails in cities around the world.
To date, its events have contributed more than £15 million to charities and £2.4 million to creative communities.
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Worcester and working with our partners St Richard’s to create Worcester’s Big Parade – our second art trail in the city.
“Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone while offering new ways for people to explore their local area, but we need the support of local businesses to make it happen.
“Sponsorship of an elephant is an unprecedented business development, employee and community engagement opportunity. There are many exciting ways to benefit from creative collaborations with us and it is an excellent way to support St Richard’s vital work. Don’t miss the chance to join us!”
Visit www.worcestersbigparade.co.uk for more.
