Highland Hospice has revealed the first model sculpture of its ‘Great Heilan Coo Art Trail’ and is urging local artists to come forward with their proposed designs.
This is the second art trail hosted by the Hospice, and will run throughout the Highlands from April to August 2022. Artists, whether well-known or undiscovered, are invited to submit their proposed design through the Highland Hospice website by Friday 10 September. Successful applicants will receive their Coo to decorate between the months of October and March.
‘The Great Heilan Coo Art Trail’, which is sponsored by Caley Timber & Building Supplies Ltd will see 20 eye catching cow sculptures in every town where there is a Highland Hospice shop – Alness, Tain, Wick, Thurso, Portree, Fort Wiliam, Aviemore, Beauly, Dornoch, Grantown, Forres and Nairn – as well as eight in the city of Inverness.
The creations are again the work of local artist Scott Gleed who runs the business Gleed3D from near Logie Steadings beside Forres. Each Highland cow sculpture will be 6ft long and 4ft high, and once all the artists’ designs are finalised, they will be shown to the cow sponsors so they can pick their own design.
In autumn 2022, the coos will be gathered together for a farewell display, before taking centre stage at a special Highland Hospice charity auction before they move to their new permanent homes.
Highland Hospice Fundraiser Jenna Hayden said, “We are so excited to see these colourful coos on display next year across the Highlands and in Inverness City itself. It would be great if our artists could consider the locations when making design submissions. We of course welcome all designs but would love to see some iconic Highland designs or a design specific to an area or one of our sponsors.”
She added, “Acrylic paint is recommended for the sculptures, and once they are all completed the Hospice will lacquer each sculpture at no cost to the artist. Not only will the successful artist’s name, the artwork name and a description be included on the Coo’s plinth and associated marketing materials, each artist will receive one free ticket to the final auction event.”
If you are an artist wishing to submit your very own ‘Heilan’ Coo design, please visit our website.
