First look at giraffe sculpture designs for Cambridge Standing Tall at exclusive art selection event
This week, businesses from across Cambridgeshire will be coming together to select their design choice for their own sponsored giraffe sculpture ahead of Cambridge Standing Tall – an art sculpture trail that will see around 40 giraffe sculptures towering over the city next spring.
Delivered by local charity Break, which supports young people in care, leaving care and on the edge of care across East Anglia, and in partnership with Wild in Art and Cambridge BID, this is the last opportunity for sponsors to secure their own design before the trail goes live – and the charity is encouraging any organisation that wants to be part of this unique event, to get in touch before the invitation-only event.
Ellie Edge, Break partnership manager, said: “We’ve had some really incredible designs submitted from some very talented artists and I’m looking forward to seeing the artwork each business chooses.
“This is the first time everyone involved will get to see what art is on offer which is really exciting, and pick their favourite.
“I’d encourage any business who had thought about sponsoring their own sculpture but hasn’t committed yet to get in contact as the art selection event is really the start of the journey towards creating a gentle giant that reflects you and your business.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for businesses to champion local artists giving them a platform to showcase their work and invest in the city’s art community.”
Held at the Hilton Cambridge City Centre, the exclusive art selection event will take place this Thursday (July 6) and will see the sponsors who are already part of the herd get first look at the artists submissions but until this time, the designs are top-secret.
Richard Finn, general manager at Hilton Cambridge City Centre, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Hilton Cambridge City Centre for this exclusive art event.
“We’ve also got an exciting reveal of a newly-decorated sculpture and it’ll be a first for giraffes to be in the building, so we’ll be pulling out all the stops for this one!
“We were host last time for the Cows about Cambridge and it really was a fantastic evening. The artwork on display was phenomenal and there was so much talent in one room.
“Our cow from last year – MOOOre Gin Please – is proudly displayed on our lobby and we’ve already got an idea of what type of design we’re looking for our own giraffe.”
Artist Mik Richardson has created more than 100 sculptures – 18 of which were for Break – and to date has raised more than £400,000 for various charities across the UK.
After the trail, a number of the sculptures will be made available for auction with all money raised going towards supporting young care leavers, who have to leave care at just 18, ensuring Break can be with them on their journey towards independence for as long as they need.
Cambridge is home to the charity’s pioneering Staying Close, Staying Connected service, where young care leavers are supported into independence and beyond by providing good quality housing so they’ll always have a roof over their heads and giving them opportunities to truly flourish and shine.
[Read more: Cambridge Standing Tall art trail sponsors mark World Giraffe Day as Welch’s Transport takes on tall order, Cambridge Standing Tall art trail project launches with a plea to ‘be more giraffe’]
For more information on the art selection event, and for your business invitation, email Eleanor.Edge@Break-charity.org.
