ART FUNDRAISER: Pauline Harvey-Jones and Sara Tupper with a bee sculpture
Farleigh Hospice is looking for businesses and artists to be part of their fundraising ‘Buzz in the City’ sculpture art trail.
Next summer, a swarm of 40 large, colourful bee sculptures will be installed in the streets and parks of Chelmsford for 10 weeks.
After the trail closes, the bees will be sold at auction to raise money for the charity, which provides free specialist care and support to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid-Essex.
Buzz in the City is expected to attract thousands of local residents and visitors to Chelmsford to follow the trail and admire the brilliant bees.
Each sculpture will be designed and decorated by an artist and can be sponsored by businesses, with their details clearly visible to all on its plinth and on the art trail’s map, mobile app, social media and website.
“We want to hear from businesses across Essex and beyond who would like to sponsor one of our brilliant bee sculptures and talented artists who would like to design and decorate them,” said Pauline Harvey-Jones, from Farleigh Hospice.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of this exciting high-profile event that presents your company’s details or your unique design to a huge audience of potential new customers, while showing your support for local hospice care.”
Businesses are encouraged to contact Farleigh now as there are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities.
Interested artists should request an information pack and can submit their designs by January 31, 2025.
Schools, youth organisations, care homes and community groups can also take part in Buzz in the City with their own ‘mini bee’ sculpture to design, decorate and name.
It will be part of the swarm displayed around Chelmsford and then returned to them to keep at the end of the trail.
There will only be a limited number of mini bees made, so sign up early and no later than February 28, 2025.
To find out more about sponsoring or designing a sculpture and owning a mini bee, visit https://www.buzzinthecity.co.uk/ or email: arttrail@farleighhospice.org
Location: Chelmsford in Essex