Hospice unveils plans for elephant art trail by the sea

Two elephants have been unveiled to give people a flavour of next year's event

A public art trail featuring elephant sculptures, each individually designed and painted by different artists, is coming to Dorset.

Stampede by the Sea is a collaboration between local charity Weldmar Hospicecare and public art trail producer Wild in Art.

More than 50 elephants will go on display around Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis in April and May 2025.

The event aims to raise money and awareness for the charity.

Two elephants have been unveiled to give people a flavour of next year's event.

The bigger elephant was designed and painted by artist Anissa Lee, who worked with attendees of Weldmar's wellbeing support sessions to come up with a design. The baby elephant was painted by artist Philip Sutton.

The larger sculptures, decorated by artists, will be auctioned at the end of the trail.

The blank, unpainted elephants are made in Poland

"Baby" elephants will be decorated by schools and youth groups and will be returned to them next summer.

Weldmar chief operating officer Matt Smith said: "We want to talk about the elephant in the room. Often, people struggle with talking about death and bereavement.

"Sponsors will choose their design from a shortlist and, in May, we will open up applications from local and national artists to submit artwork for this."

The blank elephants are being made in Poland and successful artists will be invited to Bridport in January and February 2025 to paint their sculptures.

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