Lanarkshire braces itself for The BIG Stampede

Organised by Hamilton BID, in partnership with Wild in Art, the free public art event being held from June to September featuring a herd of elephants, tower of giraffes, pride of lions, band of gorillas, crash of rhinos and pod of hippos.

The large-scale Wild in Art event will bring businesses, artists and schools together to create a spectacular sculpture trail through the streets, parks and open spaces of Hamilton and surrounding areas, while raising valuable funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity at the same time.

Businesses and organisations will be able to become part of the pack and show their support for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity by sponsoring a safari animal.

Local artists will then be tasked with creating bespoke designs for each blank animal, transforming them into unique pieces of art to be enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area.

Young people will also have the opportunity to get in on the action through The BIG Stampede’s school initiative which will see hundreds of pupils creating their own miniature sized hippo sculptures to go on display as part of a county-wide trail.

At the end of the event, each safari animal sculpture will be auctioned in aid of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, to support the 160,000 babies, children and young people treated at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow every year.

Gareth Walker, BID manager at Hamilton BID, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Wild in Art to bring this world-class event to town and are thrilled to be supporting Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

“Hamilton will have its very own sculptural animal kingdom, and we hope to inspire locals, businesses and tourists to celebrate the creativity of the area.

“We have a selection of sponsorship packages available for local businesses to suit different budgets, and we’re inviting them to get involved in what will be a fantastic experience, all while raising money for a truly worthwhile cause.”

Wild in Art is one of the leading creative producers of spectacular, mass-appeal public art events which bring together business and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of city-wide trails of uniquely painted sculptures.

The BIG Stampede follows in the footsteps of Hamilton BID’s inaugural project with Wild in Art in 2014 which saw 25 giant Clydesdale horses and 30 mini ponies canter into town as part of the Ready Steady Gallop campaign which raised £67,800 for Kilbryde Hospice.

Sally-Ann Wilkinson, director at Wild in Art, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Hamilton BID again to bring a new sculpture trail to the town.

“Artists, businesses, visitors and residents – watch out, the stampede is on its way!”

For further information about The BIG Stampede and to find out about sponsorship opportunities, click here