A fantastic flock of eye-catching, decorated owls is winging its way to Nest HQ from artists’ studios across the region in readiness for this summer’s Owls of Bath trail, which starts on Monday 25th June.
Artists’ imagination knows no bounds! Some owls have had their heads chopped off so that secret and wonderful interactive objects can be implanted for your enjoyment this summer – under wraps for now… Some will glow from within, others are powered by the sun and a few are out of this world!
There are some spectacular designs amongst the flock and they are all a brilliant reflection of the talents of our region’s artists. All of the owls are hatched from the same moulds and start life as plan white owls, but once Owl artists have had their way with them they are transformed into a fantastic collection of beautiful, eye-catching, colourful designs, with no two owls alike.
Here’s a sneak preview of a few!
Artist Natasha Rampley has created the fabulous mosaic ‘Night Owl’ sponsored by the Norie Trust; Birmingham artist Sue Guthrie’s colourful ‘Strigiforms’ has been sponsored by Milsom Place; art student Kat Thomas’s ‘Sterling’ will be on display in The Silver Shop in Bath this summer and artist and illustrator Vera Carbin is putting the finishing touches to ‘Dr Tawny’ for the BMI Bath Clinic in Combe Down.
The main photo is of the incredible ‘DigitOWL’ by John Gould, sponsored by Bath Quays, the city’s newest riverside development.
Over 75 owls will be on display around Bath and the surrounding region this summer, including Bradford on Avon, Cumberwell Park, Monkton Combe and Lacock. Printed maps will be available from outlets across the city and a free Owls of Bath app will lead you to corners of the city you may never have been before as you wake up all of Bath’s sleeping owls!
As you approach each owl, an inbuilt interactive beacon will send information about the owl to your phone, including links to its sponsor and artists’ websites and questions to answer to unlock prizes. Not just wise owls, but smart too!
Artist Laura Fearn with pupils from Weston All Saints Primary School decorating ‘EnvironmentOWL’, which 56 children have now had a hand in painting!
Nine year old owl fan Jack from WASPS launched an appeal asking for a company to sponsor an Owlet for the school and his dream came true when conservation charity Restore Our Planet kindly stepped forward and sponsored the owlet for Jack and his school.
A big hoot out to Jack for making it all happen. Dream big and whoooo knows what might happen!