Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis will be transformed into a huge, open air art trail from March 2025, as a herd of vibrantly decorated elephants arrive in the area.
Stampede by the Sea will raise essential funds and awareness for Weldmar Hospicecare, and has been organised by the charity and Wild in Art.
The sculptures, standing almost six feet high and painted by artists from across the UK, will be seen in parks, town centres, and harboursides during the eight-week event.
A number of local schools have already signed up to be involved in the project, with each designing and painting their own ‘Baby Elephant’ sculpture as part of the Learning Programme, supported by Wessex Internet.
Now, local businesses are being encouraged to apply to play host to a Baby Elephant during the trail.
Organiser Gloria McCartney, from Weldmar Hospicecare, says: “This is a brilliant opportunity for smaller businesses around the area to get involved in Stampede by the Sea. It’s open to shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs, offices, galleries – in fact, anywhere that has a window! Participating businesses will be listed on the trail’s app and map, and be further beneficiaries of the legacy that this stunning art trail will leave in the local area.”
Any local business who would like to apply can do so at stampedebythesea.org
Whilst the larger elephants and some baby sculptures will be auctioned after the trail to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare, schools will see theirs returned as a lasting reminder of being part of the trail.
