Event taking place to launch Bristol’s latest arts trail
A public arts trail will be launched in Bristol this summer.
Unicornfest, Bristol’s 2023 public arts trail, is raising money for Leukaemia Care charity.
An event is being held on Tuesday, February 14th, which will bring together Bristol’s corporate and artist worlds.
The arts trail will follow similar charity appeals in the city which featured gorillas and statues of the Aardman character Gromit.
Sponsors will arrive at Tuesday’s event with no prior knowledge of which artist they’ve been matched with, adding to the anticipation and excitement of the day.
Once announced, artists and sponsors will be sent on a ‘speed date’ where they can collaborate on final designs to perfect their shared unicorns.
Leukaemia Care chief executive Zack Pemberton-Whiteley said: “We’re incredibly excited to be driving this exciting collaboration across the creative and corporate sector, marking a key milestone for Unicornfest.
“With all artists secured and just a few sponsorships remaining, its great to bring everyone together to celebrate our success so far and have some fun! We can’t wait to see what the unicorns will look like.”
Following the event, the artists will take over a disused shop in The Galleries, Broadmead, to start the painting of their unique unicorns, where members of the public will get the chance to secure a first peak at the artists in action.
Unicornfest will see a herd of life-sized unicorns designed by Bristol artists from Inkie to Silent Hobo to Holy Moly, placed in 55 prominent destinations across Bristol and beyond between July and September this summer.
Part of the 650 Years of Bristol celebrations running this year, the nine-week trail will end with an auction of the ‘blessing’ (that’s a group of unicorns!) which will raise funds for Leukaemia Care.
41 sponsors and partners have now been secured, with IKEA, Sweet Projects and Propyard named as main event sponsors.
Around 10,000 people per year are diagnosed with leukaemia and the UK’s leading leukaemia charity, Leukaemia Care, offers support to them all.
For over 50 years, the organisation has been dedicated to ensuring that everyone affected receives the best possible diagnosis, information, advice, treatment and support. Their wide range of support services ensure that people get information, practical and emotional support at the times when they need it.
This year, the charity has launched a hospital support worker within Bristol who will be on hand at haematology clinics to give advice and signpost services that actively improve the lives of people living with leukaemia.
Unicornfest is set to raise tens of thousands for the charity to help continue their work in Bristol and beyond.
