Six huge sculptures have been hidden in the town centre ready to be discovered for the Barnsley’s Elephant trail until February 28. It was launched last Friday.
The idea for the trail came from a previous exhibition by artist David McKee in the Cooper Art Gallery, based on his famous patchwork character Elmer. Each sculpture is themed around one of six principle towns in the borough, and have been designed by artists with connections to each area.
Gaby Lees, Barnsley Museums Community Sector Specialist, said: “It’s lovely when little kids spot an elephant because you can see their faces light up and they run towards it.”
The elephants have been brought into the town centre as part of the art and culture celebration Love Barnsley running throughout February. The council felt the trail as well as the Love Barnsley celebration was a great way to celebrate the recent developments in the centre and all that is good about the town.
Mrs Lees encourages people to pay a visit to the exhibition and said the project was “like a big borough hug”.
Where would you hide an elephant?https://t.co/0HybHhgy91@barnsleycentre @ace_thenorth@BarnsleyMHT#LoveBarnsley#BarnsleysElephants pic.twitter.com/KrDoAcrKOS
— Barnsley Museums (@BarnsleyMuseums) February 19, 2022
The timing of the project has also been good post-pandemic.
Mrs Lees said: “We’ve been putting the elephants outside, so they’ve been accessible even when there’s been restrictions.”
Children visiting the elephants over the half-term can pick up a flyer and collect stickers during their trail. There is also a competition where children can design their own elephant and have a chance of winning an Elmer book.
Marking the end of the elephants project, the sculptures will return to their principle towns permanently on the 1st of March.
