AN HISTORIC Worcester arts institution has joined the growing ranks of sponsors supporting a major giraffe-themed sculpture trail.
The Royal Porcelain Works (RPW), based in Severn Street, has signed-up to sponsor a giraffe sculpture with Worcester Stands Tall – a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice.
Set to arrive in Worcester next July, the art trail will see an array of beautifully decorated giraffe sculptures standing through the city’s streets for 10 weeks.
The Royal Porcelain Works site is currently being redeveloped by the Bransford Trust to form a new 150-seat arts centre for the city – the Henry Sandon Hall.
The hall’s namesake, Henry Sandon MBE – who is a Royal Worcester porcelain expert and TV personality – joined a small crowd at the site for a celebratory photoshoot with Gerald, the giraffe sculpture.
Ben Humphrey, spokesman for The Royal Porcelain Works, said: “Worcester Stands Tall is an incredible project which will not only benefit St Richard’s Hospice but the whole of Worcester city.
“As one of the newest investments in Worcester, The Royal Porcelain Works is delighted to be able to support such a brilliant project for such a fantastic cause.
“Worcester does indeed ‘stand tall’ and for the RPW to be a part of this is just fantastic.”
Organisations from across Worcestershire have flocked to sign-up and sponsor a giraffe sculpture – with 22 sponsors now on board.
And artists, both local and national, are busy dreaming up and submitting imaginative designs for artwork to clothe each sculpture.
At the end of the trail, each giraffe will be auctioned to support the ongoing care provided by St Richard’s Hospice.
Alongside the large, 2.5metre tall giraffes will be a host of giraffe calves decorated by schools across the county. The smaller giraffes will be displayed in Crowngate Shopping Centre.
Sara Matthews, Worcester Stands Tall Project Manager, said: “One of our ambitions with Worcester Stands Tall is to engage all sectors of the arts community, so it is absolutely fantastic to have the Royal Porcelain Works involved at such an exciting time in its history.”
There is still plenty of time to sponsor a giraffe, for artists to submit designs and for schools to get involved too.
Visit www.worcesterstandstall.co.uk, call 01905 763963 or e-mail [email protected] to download an sponsorship, artist or education pack
