Wolves in Wolves: Where to hunt down Wolverhampton's 30 sculptures
Wolf fever is gripping Wolverhampton as the city prepares to go wild for its biggest ever public art event
Those behind the ‘Wolves in Wolves’ project have been busy putting 30 fang-tastic sculptures in place across the city centre since the weekend.
The trail officially begins tomorrow and a launch event is being held at the city's art gallery tonight.
Click here to download a bigger version of the map
And the colourful artworks have already been attracting attention from commuters, shoppers and other passers-by.
The individually designed wolves have been spotted in Railway Drive, near the train station, in St Peter’s Gardens and even outside the Express & Star offices in Queen Street.
Maps are now available to help people join the pack and hunt the individually designed animals down on the free 4.5 mile trail.
Council chiefs have said it is the largest public art event in the city ever and are hoping the initiative will encourage more people to visit Wolverhampton and help showcase what the city has to offer.
The project will also benefit several charities. Through sponsorship and proceeds from a post-event auction of the wolves sculptures any surplus will be donated to disability arts charity, Outside Centre, as well as Wolverhampton’s mayoral charities which this year include Central Youth Theatre, Interfaith Wolverhampton and Alzheimer’s Society Black Country among others.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: “Wolves in Wolves is a great opportunity to showcase the city to visitors and I’m sure these 30 wolves will help put the city on the map as a cultural centre.
“It is also a fun way for families to get active and discover the city.”
The artworks include The Fallen, in St Peter’s Gardens, which features the names of those who died whilst fighting for their country during the First World War.
Others already on display are Wolfy McWolf, near the train station, the ‘Love’ Wolf in St Peter’s Gardens and the ‘Garden’ wolf near the city’s bus station. Not forgetting ‘Flame’ – the fire brigade wolf sitting outside the Express & Star offices in Queen Street, designed by Mark Lavendar and David Miller.
The aim is to ‘combine the quality artistic and cultural event with associated public health, educational and economic benefits’.
Once the event is finished, the majority of the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for several charities.
Wolverhampton BID director, Cherry Shine, said: “Wolves in Wolves is a fantastic project that supports all of the work of Wolverhampton BID. The aim of the engaging and friendly sculpture trail is to attract families to our city centre to have a great day out.
“The wolves will inject a sense of fun into our centre, remind people of the amazing city we are and support businesses to thrive by driving significant footfall for the duration of the project.”
The project runs until September 24, when the majority of the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for several charities.
Official sponsors of the project are HeadStart Wolverhampton, Hilton Main Construction, Learn Play Foundation, Mander Centre, Marston’s Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society, MoveCorp, Talent Match Black Country, NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, University of Wolverhampton, Yoo Recruit, West Midlands Fire Service, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Arena Theatre and Enjoy Wolverhampton.
A map of the wolves’ locations can be downloaded and printed at wolvesinwolves.co.uk/wolves/trail.html and are available at Civic Centre reception, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Central Library, WV Active Central and The Way Youth Zone. Organisers are asking people to tweet their pictures on the trail using #WolvesinWolves2017.
So there’s nothing left to say but happy hunting. . . howl!
People all over the city have gone howling mad for the sculptures, posting about the wolves on social media
