Final chance to say farewell to Wolves in Wolves
People in Wolverhampton will be wishing their fanged-friends farewell this week as the popular Wolves in Wolves project is set to come to an end.
Wolves in Wolves, which came to fruition in July this year, saw dozens of specially-painted wolf sculptures installed in and around Wolverhampton city centre and is the city’s largest ever public art event.
They were part of a special trail which saw hundreds of people hit the streets to track the wolves.
More than 50,000 trail maps were picked up by people looking to catch a glimpse of the wolves in the city, with thousands more downloaded digitally.
The sculptures were painted by a raft of professional and amateur artists on a variety of themes.
WATCH: Take the entire tour in just 12 minutes
Now, when the trail ends on September 24, the sculptures will be gradually removed one at a time from their current locations before being auctioned off for good causes at a later date.
Those to benefit from the auction of the sculptures include 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.
Elaina Mason, of Dunstall, has been a regular on the trail with her husband Josh and two children Mark, aged three, and daughter Sofia, five. She said: “My family has absolutely loved the Wolves in Wolves in trail.
“The children have been so excited to find all the wolves and every time they see one they run over for a photo. Our favourite wolf is Sacred Grandfathers in the Chubb building.”
“The competitions associated with the trail have also been great and we were lucky enough to win a family ticket to the speedway. We’ve never been before and can’t wait to go.”
Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden toured some of the city centre sculptures with children from Loxdale Primary School in his Bilston constituency.
The Wolves In Wolves’ main organiser Dr Paul Darke relayed the many stories behind the figures to the group.
Wolverhampton council cabinet member for city economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “The wolves have really captured people’s imaginations and the whole project has been a howling success.
Mr McFadden said: “It’s been a fantastic project which has made us look at different places in the city in a new light.
“It has also told a lot of good stories. For example there is a wolf dedicated to the Dutch Army who were stationed at Wolverhampton during the Second World War, which the little ones learned about, among other stories.
“So it was a great idea and really good for the city. I hope it inspires many other similar initiatives.”
“Wolves in Wolves has showcased the city to visitors and the 30 wolves have helped put the city on the map as a cultural centre.
“It has also been a great way for people of all ages to get active and discover the city and what it has to offer.”
The map can be viewed at www.wolvesinwolves.co.uk/wolves/trail.html, where it can also be downloaded and printed.
Copies of the map are also available at the Civic Centre reception, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Central Library, WV Active Central and The Way Youth Zone.
Pictured are, back row, Councillor John Reynolds, Wolves in Wolves artist Nigel James Kilworth, with Heidi Wall-Holden and Sally Sandel of Wolverhampton BID.
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.
