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More than 40 sculptures of the much-loved children’s character have been installed across Brighton and Hove for the Shaun by the Sea exhibition to support local hospice charity Martlets.
Shauns have been placed across the length and breadth of the city, from Hove Lagoon to Brighton Marina and the Amex Stadium.
As a truck unloaded the sculptures to their new home for the next eight weeks, passers-by took photos and watched on dazzled by the different coloured Shauns.
Children were also quick to rush over to the sculptures to meet the new colourful characters.
A total of 42 large ewe-niquely designed Shaun the Sheep sculptures have been installed, along with more than 70 smaller models of the character at libraries and local schools.
A special “roving Shaun” will also pop up at different locations during the eight-week art trail.
The locations where the special Shaun will appear are understood to be “top secret” and will be revealed through an app specifically for the art trail.
The app will allow people to track their progress and win rewards as they find all the sculptures.
The trail, also organised by Wild in Art, is the third to take place in Brighton and Hove, with Snowdogs and Snails previously popping up across the city.
Tanya Hunt, director of income generation at Martlets, said it was amazing to see the Shauns placed across the city for people to enjoy.
She said: “It’s fantastic to see this project coming together because it has been months and months of hard work from the team.
“It is five years since the Snailspace art trail – and after having the pandemic and having our communities separated, it feels really exciting to have something to bring everyone back together – and at the same time that we are finishing our new hospice.”
Ms Hunt said that there are many ways for people to get involved with the trail over the following weeks, including ways to organise fundraising events – particularly for a special “Brighton Flock Day” on October 13.
Thrill-seekers are also invited to join the charity for their “shear drop” from the i360 on October 5, with ten spaces left for fundraisers to sign up and raise money for the hospice.
She said: “Enjoy the Shauns, have fun, and take the opportunity to learn about the services we provide in the community.
“We never charge anyone a single penny for the care we provide, so if you enjoy the trail and are passionate about supporting the communities of Brighton and Hove, please consider making a donation or do a bit of fundraising.”
Among those greeting one of the Shauns as it was placed outside Hove Town Hall was Labour councillor Emma Daniel.
She said: “During the cost of living crisis, having something fun and full of joy in the city is so lovely.”
Some of the artists who painted the sculptures’ colourful designs also waited in anticipation as their masterpieces were lowered using a crane to their new home on public display.
Chloe Batchelor, who designed the Neon Carwash sculpture at Sussex Cricket Ground in Hove, said it was great to have another art trail in Brighton and Hove.
She said: “Martlets are an amazing charity and the community really gets behind it. My friends are going to do a big run collecting all the sheep – it’s just such a fun thing to be part of.”
Tina Davies, who previously designed one of the snails in the 2018 art trail in Brighton and Hove, watched with excitement as her Shaun of the Re-wilding sculpture was lowered into place at St Ann’s Well Gardens.
She said: “I am excited that it’s going to be in a park – it can graze.
“My design reflects wild gardens, with bees and butterflies, and I want to encourage people to grow anything if they have got space to encourage wildlife.”
Serena Sussex was full of delight as Bridget was put into place in George Street in Hove.
She told The Argus: “It’s awesome that the trail is back, especially after Covid.”
The Shaun by the Sea art trail officially starts tomorrow, lasting until November 5.
Sculptures can be found at a range of locations across Brighton and Hove, including Churchill Square, the Royal Pavilion, Sea Lanes, the Brighton i360 and the Amex Stadium.
The sculptures will then be auctioned off to raise money for Martlets at a special event on November 27.
The snail sculptures from the 2018 art trail raised more than £230,000 for the hospice charity, with one selling for as much as £12,800.
Donations to the charity can be made online at shaunbythesea.co.uk/donate.
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