Rhinos coming to a city near you!

By Virginie Mousset

Last year, it was all about the elephants. This year it’s all about the rhinos.

Jess Heath, from Stocksbridge, is designing one of these rhinos. When asked why she was taking part in this event, she said:

“I think this is a great idea, I feel like I’m really taking part in something important and valuable. And I love art, so this is a real joy for me to take part in. I feel the two charities that are being involved in this event are amazing and completely different to one another. I may be making a small difference to someone’s life, animal or human. ”

Rhinos were chosen as the theme for this year’s event because the event wanted: “something large and robust that will make a real impact wherever it is placed.  Measuring 6ft long by 5 ft high, by 2ft wide and weigh 60kg they should certainly turn heads.  They also make a great blank canvas for any artist.  Schools get to work with a scaled down mini-rhino. Our Rhinos also enable us to make a great choice in terms of our chosen animal charity.  They are one of the endangered species supported by the Tusk Trust.  The Trust not only protects wildlife but also educates and supports local communities - something that is at the heart of this initiative.”

The rhinos will be placed all over the country and will be out in public for up to three months in spring 2012. Once the rhinos are taken off the streets, they will be treated to a bit of TLC, to fix any damages. After this, the monuments will be part of a gala auction in the summer of 2012. A few of the rhinos will be auctioned off, but most of these will be returned to the community organisations that created them.

The event Woa! Rhino is owned by Wild in Art and managed in partnership with About the Place Ltd. Woa! Rhino is not a charity, but they produce this event so that they can help charities. The charities that they have chosen to donate to are: ROSY and Tusk Trust. 65% of the net proceeds made from the gala auction will be donated to these charities.

Oliver O’Dell from About The Place Ltd spoke about the event saying:

“Very rarely do you come across a project that can bring together different parts of the local community through an activity that creates both entertainment and positive new relationships.  Wild in Art’s concept does just that.”