Highland Show: agricultural charity calls for artists to back awareness campaign
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The organisers of the Royal Highland Show, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, are calling for local Highland and Islands artists to submit designs for ‘Flock to the Show’ - a large-scale public art campaign across Scotland.
The campaign will feature over 30 specially designed fibreglass sheep sculptures forming a free discovery trail for local people and visitors of all ages across Scotland to explore, enjoy and learn about Scotland’s long history of sheep farming as well as the challenges faced by the sector.
Each sculpture will be sponsored by local businesses, community groups and educational organisations. They will tour across Scotland to form four unique trails in rural and urban locations during April-May 2023.
Artists from across the country will decorate the touring sheep to raise awareness of emerging Scottish artistic talent. Interested artists can find out more and apply online at: royalhighlandshow.org /flock-to-the-show
Designs are welcomed in any medium – from traditional paint, new media, and landscapes to illustrations, graffiti and mosaics. RHASS will award commissioned artists with an honorarium of £1,000.
The flock shall return to the Royal Highland Show during the Golden Shears in June 2023, which will be the only time the public will see the sculptures together in one place.
Following this, the flock will be auctioned at a special event to raise funds in support of the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Bicentennial Fund and fund projects dedicated to sustainability in the rural sector.
RHASS chairman, Jim Warnock, commented: “This exciting cultural project will go a long way to raising awareness of Scotland’s long history with sheep farming and engaging the public in a fun, interactive way, as well as highlighting the issues facing farmers today.
“As a charity, the funds raised from the auction of the completed sculptures will contribute to the work of RHASS and its charitable remit, which includes support of other essential charities like the Royal Highland Education Trust and RSABI.”
