Gromit Unleashed 2 is about to get underway in Bristol
Posted on: 27 Jun 2018Organised by Bristol Children's Hospital Charity, The Grand Appeal, Gromit Unleashed 2 will see the beloved Gromit return to Bristol for a full two months, only this time he's not alone. Best pal Wallace and arch nemesis Feathers McGraw are getting in on the fun, which sees 67 individually decorated sculptures hiding at various locations throughout the city - it's up to you to find them all!
Following the success of last year's trail, Gromit Unleashed 2 has been one of the most hotly anticipated charity events on the Bristol calendar this year, with dozens of sponsors getting involved as well as an impressive list of talented artists being enlisted to decorate each individual sculpture. Designs this year include a Mr Spock-themed Wallace, a Gromit in the guise of Bristol cricketing legend W.G. Grace (beard and all), one decorated by celebrated Bristol street artist Cheba, and many more eye-catching works.
Not only that, but this year toy giant LEGO has contributed to the trail, producing a huge Gromit sculpture built entirely out of the famous DIY bricks. The appropriately named 'Cracking Build, Gromit!' was hand built by expert LEGO Model Builders, created from an incredible 30,456 LEGO bricks and taking those involved over 120 hours to complete. Crumbs!
.jpg "Feathers McGraw | Gromit Unleashed 2 in Bristol")
St Mark’s Road in Easton, the Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol, Hartcliffe Community Farm and Blaise Castle are four of many locations taking part in The Grand Appeal’s trail for the very first time, with Clifton Suspension Bridge, Temple Meads and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway returning for their third season.
With the locations spread across the city, visitors to the trail will be able to find, learn about and even interact with sculptures by discovering ‘trails within trails’ across the North, East, South and West of Bristol. A printed map, available at the Gromit Unleashed shop at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway as well as selected locations across the city will be available at the start of July.
There will also be a Gromit Unleashed 2 app available to download and help avid trail fans to hunt down sculptures, while a special passport trail will be created to celebrate the trail’s innovation themes. New Gromit Unleashed 2-inspired products, including the popular figurines, will be available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting patients and families cared for by Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.
Lauren Howard, Head of Brand at The Grand Appeal, said “we are absolutely thrilled that we have such a fantastic array of international creative talent joining our trailblazers and local artists in Bristol this summer in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital, and we look forward to sharing all our designs with visitors over the summer. Money raised will help The Grand Appeal to continue its work with Bristol Children’s Hospital, helping them to provide world-class care to sick babies, children from Bristol, The South West and beyond.”
A full trail map will be available in a special edition of the Bristol Post on Friday 29th June, and at the Gromit Unleashed shop at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway from Saturday 30th June. From 1st July trail maps will also be available from the following selected locations:
The Gromit Unleashed Shop at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Bristol Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre
M Shed
Tourist Information Centre
Aerospace
Gromit Unleashed HQ on Upper Maudlin Street
For more information please visit www.grandappeal.org.uk/trails-exhibitions/gromit-unleashed
Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
