A Newcastle hospice has revealed the new star of its popular North East art trail that's set to delight families next summer.
St Oswald's Hospice unveiled a giant statue of Shaun the Sheep at Ouseburn Farm in Byker on Tuesday as the charity announced the iconic character and his flock will be taking over the city in 2023.
The 'Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne' art trail will be the hospice's third trail in partnership with Wild in Art, which follows the success of the Great North Snow Dogs in 2016 and Elmer's Great North Parade in 2019. Once again, families will be able to visit various locations across Newcastle and surrounding areas to spot all 50 of the super-sized sculptures inspired by the much-loved star of film and television.
READ MORE: St Oswald's Hospice to hold third art trail around Newcastle
The free event, which will take place between July 23, 2023, and September 27, 2023, will see the sculptures located alongside some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Each Shaun the Sheep sculpture will be designed by artists from the region and a series of smaller ‘Little Shaun’ sculptures, adopted and painted by schools and youth groups, will also be displayed as part of the adventure.
Families will be able to follow a trail map and app to find the characters across the accessible trail.
The trail looks to raise funds and awareness for the hospice, which provides care for adults, children and babies with life-limiting conditions in the North East. When the trail ends, the super-sized Shaun sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for St Oswald’s Hospice.
The hospice is working with Aardman, Newcastle City Council, and Northumbrian Wate r to put on the event next year.
Jane Hogan, head of fundraising at St Oswald's Hospice, said: "Today a number of us have gathered for the big reveal of the art trail which follows the Great North Snow Dogs and Elmer's Great North Parade. Shaun the Sheep is a British icon, he is a movie star and he is actually an Oscar winner.
"He is a very mischievous character but has a really big heart. From the people that we have spoken to, everybody is very drawn to him and very uplifted by the fact that he is going to be the star of our trail next summer."
READ NEXT:
- Tyneside welcomes Snowdogs and Snowmen and here's where to find the festive visitors
- Snowdogs to return to Tyneside streets bringing lockdown cheer - and a new friend
- Last chance to see Elmer the Elephant as sculptures go on show for the last time in Newcastle
- Sneak peek of Elmer’s Great North Parade before the elephant art trail launches in Tyne and Wear
-
Thai woman goes from having just £20 to running restaurant empire loved by Jonjo Shelvey
