Bristol businesses are lining up to sponsor the 60 giant Gromit sculptures which will be displayed around the city next summer.
Some 17 firms had committed to take part in the Gromit Unleashed project to raise funds for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity ahead of its launch on Friday.
The 5ft (1.5m) Gromit sculptures, which are being individually designed by top international and local artists and designers, will form a ten-week arts trail around the city and are set to become a major tourist attraction.
Companies signed up so far to sponsor their own re-imagined Gromit include Bluefin Professions, Burges Salmon, Camb Knives, Element 78, Hargreaves Lansdown, Harvey Nichols, Icon Films, Jones Lang LaSalle, LDC, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Rolls-Royce, Subway, Wessex Water, Western Power Distribution, Veal Wasbrough Vizards, Yankee Candle and The Post.
More than 100 businesses attended the launch of Gromit Unleashed at Aardman’s Gas Ferry Road headquarters to hear more about how they could get involved.
Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park is closely involved with the project and will design one of the sculptures on the trail himself. He said: “I can't wait to see how Gromit will look decorated by so many different artists. The Grand Appeal is a charity close to my heart and I hope that Gromit Unleashed will hugely contribute much-needed funds for the appeal.”
The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5m for state-of-the-art equipment, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to enhance a £30m investment by the NHS at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Grand Appeal director Nicola Masters said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from businesses we’ve approached about Gromit Unleashed who see it as a huge coup for Bristol.
“We know how popular art trails have become and how much businesses can benefit from the increased interest they can generate. This is the first time an art project of this kind has involved an internationally-renowned character so we do expect this to grab the public’s attention from far and wide.”
The exclusive opportunities available for sponsors are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Full details are at www.sponsoragromit.org.uk
The names of the artists who will individually design the 60 Gromits will be release in the new year.
Pictured: Nick Park with some of the giant Gromits
