Our roaming Olympic Shaun is revealed at Maidstone United Football Stadium
With only a few weeks until the ‘Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent’ free art trail goes live in Maidstone on 29 June 2024, we’re delighted to unveil our roaming Shaun sculpture ‘Olympics in Motion’ at the Maidstone United Gallagher Stadium. The fabulous sporting design is a celebration of all things Olympic and is a tribute to the world of sports, capturing the vibrancy and dynamic essence of the Olympics. The design invites everyone to immerse themselves in the world of athletics; to feel its energy and inspiration.
Unlike the 108 Shaun the Sheep sculptures which remain static, ‘Olympics in Motion’ has a full calendar of events scheduled and will be out and about meeting and greeting people at events and attractions around Maidstone.
Here are just a few of the events at which you can unlock our roaming Shaun using the app:
- Kent County Show
- East Malling Picnic in the Park
- Maidstone River Festival
- Whatman Park
- Mote Park
The full calendar of where to find Roaming Shaun will be available on our events page
‘Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent’ is a creative partnership between Heart of Kent Hospice, Wild in Art, Aardman and Presenting Partner, Maidstone Borough Council.
Erica Snow, Project Manager at Heart of Kent Hospice said: “In the lead up to the ‘Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent’, Shaun recently went along to meet the Maidstone United Training Academy, to show off his colourful Olympic design which was created by Annabelle Hodd and in time for the Olympics which opens in Paris later this summer.”
The Shaun the Sheep Sculptures are currently being kept under wraps in a secret location until the trail goes live on the 29 June 2024.
The eagerly awaited second free art trail, follows on from the successful Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade in 2021, and promises to provide plenty of family fun as walkers discover the 51 unique and colourful hand painted Shaun the Sheep Sculptures which will appear overnight at locations across Maidstone town centre including in parks and along the river from 29 June to 30 August 2024. You can also view an additional 55 little Shaun the Sheep sculptures which will form the Learning and Community programme. These beautifully decorated little Shauns have been enthusiastically designed by schools, community groups and care homes within the Maidstone community and will form their own little flocks around Maidstone town centre including Maidstone Museum and Kent History and Library Centre.
All the wonderful artists, from Kent and further afield, have created the most amazing designs which can be admired while walking round the art trail. Many of the Shaun the Sheep sculptures will be found at some of Maidstone’s most iconic locations.
Shaun the Sheep is cheeky and mischievous, and surrounded by his farmyard friends he lives life to the full – the Hospice hopes this new art trail will not only raise vital funds for the Hospice when the sculptures are auctioned in September but will also serve as a reminder that Heart of Kent Hospice is there to provide support to patients and their loved ones when they need it most, both at home and within the Hospice which is located in Aylesford.
Later this year people can book a slot to visit all the Shaun the Sheep Sculptures under one roof at the Farewell Weekend which takes place between 13 – 15 September 2024. This is the ideal time to choose which Shaun Sculpture to bid on at an exciting live auction on Thursday 26 September 2024. All proceeds from the auction will help the Hospice to continue to provide outstanding Hospice care to the local community.
