Next summer, Worcester will be graced with the presence of a beautifully crafted group of penguins, as they slide into the city to form its third stunning public art trail.
This event, called the Waddle of Worcester, is a Wild in Art initiative that is being brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice. The penguin sculptures, which will number forty in total, will be displayed along streets and in open spaces for eight weeks, starting on Monday, 22 July 2024 and ending on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
This free art trail follows on from the successful Worcester Stands Tall and Worcester’s Big Parade events, which raised over £700,000 in total by displaying giraffe and elephant sculptures in 2018 and 2021. The penguin sculptures will be sponsored by businesses and brought to life by talented artists from Worcestershire and beyond, making for a truly spectacular display. Not only will this event be visually stunning, but it will also raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice, making it a meaningful and impactful experience for all involved.
Sara Matthews, who’s leading the project for St Richard’s, said:
“We can’t wait to see our huddle of happy penguins standing among Worcester’s iconic landmarks in summer 2024.
“Residents will remember how the city felt when we were previously joined by giraffes and ele-friends and we’re excited to recreate that magic all over again, bringing art trail goers into the city in their droves.”
“We often get asked how we choose each sculpture and this was quite easy in our fortieth year caring for patients and loved ones. If anyone knows that kindness is a superpower; it’s the penguin! Compassionate by nature, you’ll see them in a huddle – looking out for their neighbour – when the weather turns. The penguin feels like our perfect spirit animal.”
The large sculptures will be joined by another 40 penguin chick sculptures which will be covered in artwork by students and community groups. At the end of the trail, the large sculptures will be auctioned 1to raise funds for the hospice’s care to patients, loved ones and bereaved people across Worcestershire.
Sara continued:
“A variety of sponsorship packages are available for businesses to waddle with us and help make something truly memorable for their own organisation, colleagues and family, and for the wider community too.”
“We thank everyone who has shown such enthusiasm for a third art trail – we wouldn’t have made it to this point without you all!”
Wild in Art, the creative production company behind the great Waddle of Worcester, has brought together communities with its sculpture trails in cities around the world. To date, its events have enabled over £23.6m to be raised for charitable causes and injected £3.8m into local creative communities.
Managing Director and Co-founder, Charlie Langhorne said:
“We are delighted to be teaming up once again with St Richard’s Hospice to create this new art trail – our third in the city.”
Joining the large penguin sculptures will be 40 adorable penguin chick sculptures, each adorned with unique artwork by students and community groups. Following this, there will be a Farewell Event, giving visitors a final opportunity to say goodbye to the sculptures before the large penguins are auctioned off to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice.
The great Waddle of Worcester is supported by Presenting Partners; Crowngate, DRPG and Worcester City Council, Community and Education Partner; Worcester BID and Media Partners; the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.
St Richard’s Hospice
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity caring for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment to their last days and supporting those important to them.
Find out more at www.strichards.org.uk
About Wild in Art
Wild in Art is the leading producer of spectacular public art events that entertain, enrich, inform and leave a lasting legacy. It brings together businesses and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of uniquely painted sculptures.
Find out more at wildinart.co.uk @wildinart | #wildinart