Grand designs
Appeal for artists for Big Stampede
The Big Stampede, a free art trail which will see a herd of safari animals descend on Hamilton, is on the hunt for a special pack of their own, in the form of artists.
The large-scale art exhibition, which is arranged in partnership between Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID) and creative producers Wild in Art, is looking for artists to create and submit their designs for the town’s biggest mass participation art event next summer.
Both well-known and undiscovered artists are invited to come up with designs for one of the life-sized safari sculptures that will be displayed around Hamilton as part of a spectacular trail.
After the trail has ended the designed sculptures will be auctioned off to raise valuable funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
In a first for Scotland, the artists will be able to create designs for a variety of safari sculptures including elephants, lions, gorillas, giraffes and rhinos.
Each artist can enter up to three designs, meaning if they are shortlisted they could potentially have more than one of their creations brought to life on the trail.
Gareth Walker, manager at Hamilton BID, said: “It is an exciting time for The Big Stampede as we launch our appeal for artists and we’d encourage those interested to submit their designs for their chance to be part of our spectacular art exhibition when it comes to town. We’re looking for bold, vibrant and adventurous ideas that will bring to life the trail so artists shouldn’t hold back with their creations.
“The Big Stampede will be a fun project for the artists but it is also a great opportunity for them to showcase their work to a mass audience. Each artist selected will have a plaque acknowledging their artwork on their safari animal which is anticipated to be seen by thousands of people.”
The shortlisted designs will be selected by a panel of art experts and they will then go on display to the sculpture sponsors in spring 2017. The sponsors will then have the opportunity to pick from their favourite designs with selected artists given £850 upon completion of their artwork.
Designs can be submitted across a number of art disciplines from traditional to new media, illustrations to fine art.
Charlie Langhorne, director of Wild in Art, said: “We hope people will be inspired by the challenge of a three-dimensional canvas and by being involved in such an exciting project. We want to encourage local artists to submit designs – this will be a wonderful showcase for artistic talent.”
The Big Stampede will go on display from June to August 2017 with over 60 sculptures expected to take over Hamilton and the surrounding areas. The free public art event will bring businesses, artists and schools together to create a spectacular and colourful sculpture trail which will positively contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of the town as well as support Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
Young people will also have the opportunity to take part in the action through The Big Stampede’s educational initiative, which will work with local school pupils creating their own miniature sized hippo sculptures to go on display as part of the trail. To find out more, email artists@ hamiltonbid.org.