An art trail displaying paintings, sculptures and photography in empty shop windows on the theme of nature and climate change is to launch next week to coincide with World Environment Day.
The Trowbridge Windows on Nature trail will highlight the devastating fact that a quarter of British mammals are at risk of extinction and 80% of the country’s most popular birds are in decline.
The trail aim is to raise awareness of the plight of nature and highlight how we can reduce our environmental impact on the planet by bringing stunning wildlife art to the streets of Trowbridge.
At the same time it will fill the windows of the town’s void stores by providing a fun activity for visitors and residents of all ages.
Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce and event sponsor accountancy group MHA Monahans invited local artists and schools to take part by displaying artwork on the theme of biodiversity and climate change.
The trail, which launches on June 5, World Environment Day, runs until September 1 – ahead of Britain hosting the International Climate Change Conference in November.
Free Windows on Nature trail maps will be available from town centre outlets, which will lead visitors and residents of all ages on an artistic safari across the town.
QR codes in the art trail windows will link to local wildlife charities, including Bath-based Rainforest Concern and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
In addition to the main art trail, more than 30 businesses will feature a nature theme in their shop windows, including tree saplings donated by the Chamber of Commerce for planting later in the year.
A 1m model of a toucan will ‘land’ in a different shop each week and the first person to post a photo of him in his new location with the hashtag #trowbridgetoucan will win a chocolate animal goodie bag.
The event is being organised by Bath-based freelance event and project manager Megan Witty, who was responsible for the city’s King Bladud’s Pigs sculpture trail in 2008, the Lions of Bath in 2010 and 2018’s Owls of Bath.
Megan said: “There is a stunning range of artwork on display and free trail maps will lead art and nature fans on a wildlife safari around Trowbridge town centre.
“We hope the trail will raise awareness of the rapid decline of some of our most beloved wildlife species and would like to thank Trowbridge Town Council and MHA Monahans for their support of the project.
“A big thank you to the 25 talented artists, sculptors, photographers and schools for their amazing artwork and make sure you keep an eye out for Tomas the Toucan for the chance to win prizes.”
The eye-catching wildlife artwork has been created by 25 local artists and includes a supersized rhino painting by BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year Tanya Achilleos Lock, a giant painted hare sculpture and treasure hunt book illustrations by artist Joanna May, stunning photographs of endangered wildlife by leading Wiltshire photographers, recycled metal sculptures of dung beetles by award-winning sculptor Fiona Campbell, metre high glass butterflies by artist Phaedra Politis, papier-mâché animals by the Trowbridge Pocket Picassos, a Wiltshire grassland scene featuring endangered animals by children from The Mead Academy Trust, and a seven metre mural on the theme of climate change by Trowbridge graffiti artist Tom Miller.
For further information about the trail – and to download a trail map (from June 4) – visit www.trowbridgechamber.com
