Over the summer, the streets and parks of Chelmsford have been transformed into an outdoor gallery by colourful giant and smaller mini bee sculptures on the Buzz in the City art trail.
Thousands of people have admired them – they have been turning heads and raising smiles across the city from 5 July. After the trail closes on 9 September, there will be a final chance to see them all together at a family-friendly Farewell Event in Broomfield, Chelmsford on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.
Jennifer Flint decorating the mini bee sculpture for the art trail prize draw
Each giant bee has been individually designed and decorated by a talented artist to raise money for Farleigh Hospice. The charity provides compassionate hospice care to adults with a life-limiting illness and their families across mid Essex and also offers information and support to bereaved children and adults. It makes no charge for any of these much-needed services.
Farleigh has been working with Chelmsford For You – the City’s Business Improvement District – to organise Buzz in the City, with the support of Chelmsford City Council. The art trail’s headline sponsors are Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors and Teledyne e2v.
Chelmsford artist Jennifer Flint, from Artists at the Meadows, has two sculptures on the trail – ‘Busy Bee’ at Chelmsford College and ‘I Love Bs’ outside the offices of Benefit Cosmetics in New Street. She has also created a unique mini bee which can be won in the Buzz in the City prize draw.
Jennifer said, “I wanted to take part because I loved the idea of bringing a bold, colourful trail to our home city and bringing art into people’s everyday lives. Buzz in the City has encouraged people to get active, explore different parts of the city, and connect with art in a really accessible way, whilst also raising valuable funds for Farleigh.”
On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, all of the giant and mini bees will be on display together in the gardens of Farleigh Hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford, before the giant bees are sold at auction.
This is the last opportunity to see the bees for a final, joyful farewell and to collect any missing codes on the Buzz in the City mobile app to enter competitions and claim rewards. The Chelmsford Beekeepers will be there to talk about real bees and there will be bee products to buy, plus a refreshment stall. You can also buy prize draw tickets to win Jennifer Flint’s colourful mini bee.
Jennifer added, “I think it’s going to be magical to see the entire swarm together, a real celebration of creativity and community spirit. It’s a unique opportunity for people to admire every sculpture side by side before they’re auctioned off, and I hope it inspires even more people to get involved and bid for their favourites.”
Entry to the Farewell Event costs £2.50 per person (free for under 5s) with free parking at the hospice. It is by timed ticket only which can be purchased at www.buzzinthecity.co.uk/farewell .
The giant bees will be sold at auction to raise money for Farleigh Hospice on 17 September at 7pm at the Channels Estate in Chelmsford. The auction will be hosted by popular auctioneer and television antiques expert, James Lewis of Bamfords Auctioneers.
Anyone interested in going to the auction to buy one of these exclusive works of art should go to www.buzzinthecity.co.uk/auction or call 01245 457411 to register their interest.
