Bringing colour, art and buzz to Chelmsford, this amazing sculpture trail is not to be missed. Brought to the city by Farleigh Hospice, Making Trails and Chelmsford For You, the swarm is ready to land this weekend!
From Saturday 5 July to Tuesday 9 September, you can enjoy this unique art trail and be part of the buzz that’s taking over Chelmsford.
30 giant bee sculptures and 7 mini bee swarms are scattered across Chelmsford city centre and have been designed by artists and local community groups.
Chelmsford City Council are honoured to be involved and sponsor the trail, which is set to not only raise funds and awareness for Farleigh Hospice, but also celebrate Chelmsford and all the different spaces that are hosting a giant bee sculpture.
The trail route
The complete Buzz in the City trail route is 10km, and the map on the Buzz in the City app details the journey you can take to discover all the sculptures. There is also the option to follow three mini trails which are shorter in distance and perfect for family days out with younger children.
Along the trail route, there are chances to enter competitions and claim exclusive rewards and discounts by entering the code on the sculpture into the Buzz in the City app. This is also a great way to find out more about the trail sponsors.
Artists
Talented artists are showcasing their skills on the bee sculptures and the trail is a unique opportunity to boost their profile. Some artists are local to Chelmsford, whilst others are from as far afield as Bristol! Farleigh Hospice and Making Trails are extremely grateful to all the emerging and established artists who submitted their ideas, and we can’t wait to see the chosen designs take centre stage on the bee sculptures across the city.
Chelmsford City Council’s sponsored bee has been designed by artist Diana Mayo, who also has a piece of her art on display in the Museum of Chelmsford’s Shifting Perspectives exhibition. The exhibition was made in partnership with people living with dementia and their companions and runs until Sunday 2 November.
Below are some of the original design drawings that start to bring to life the artist’s ideas and showcase their diverse chosen themes.
Farleigh Hospice
At the heart of the trail and the event is Farleigh Hospice. The local hospice provides care and support free of charge to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex.
The number of people asking for care and support from Farleigh Hospice is always increasing, so raising money and awareness about the charity’s work is vital. Taking part in the Buzz in the City trail can help Farleigh Hospice ensure that they can continue to provide the best quality of care to local people who need their services, both now and in the future.
So, get outside this summer, on your own, with friends, colleagues or family and enjoy the Buzz in the City trail. Explore Chelmsford on foot and you might even discover new walks or spaces that you can return to after the trail.