NEWCASTLE HELIX is ‘joining the herd’ by sponsoring a sculpture in Elmer’s Great North Parade, delivered by St Oswald’s Hospice.
Newcastle Helix is proud to be part of this spectacular art trail that will feature more than 50 large individually designed sculptures and 115 little sculptures, based on the much-loved children’s character, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. The parade will run from August – November 2019, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region.
Representatives from Newcastle Helix have already attended an Artist and Sponsor matching event where they have secured their preferred design for their Elmer sculpture – the ‘Electric Elmer’. The design celebrates two great inventors of the North East, Joseph Swan, who developed the first light bulb and William Armstrong, who developed new more efficient ways to use hydroelectricity.
Tom Bramald, Marketing Manager, Newcastle Helix said: “We are thrilled to be part of the Elmer’s Great North Parade. Newcastle Helix is fast becoming a global hub for innovation and the fact that the ‘Electric Elmer’ design celebrates two great North East Inventors was a perfect fit for us. The design also features imagery which resonates with the site’s history and the fact that it was built on a former coal mine. We are really pleased with the design as it reflects our past, present and future as an exemplar sustainable urban development.”
“The parade provides an opportunity to showcase creative talent in a fun and inspiring way, as well as raise vital funds for St Oswald’s Hospice. I have no doubt that our Elmer will bring even more colour, life and fun to Newcastle Helix. We can’t wait for everyone to meet him.”
The ‘Electric Elephant’ will be painted by Fine Artist Amanda Rabey who trained at The Slade School of Fine Art where she won the Sir Andrew Taylor Prize and The Monnington prize for Drawing. She lives and works in Newcastle upon Tyne where she has a studio at the Mushroom Works.
Amanda Rabey, Fine Artist said: “I am honored to be part of such an important charity fundraiser for St Oswald’s Hospice and I am delighted to be working with Newcastle Helix who really responded to my design ideas. It’s great to be able to celebrate some of the brilliant and inventive minds of the North East through such a fun and accessible event.”
Newcastle Helix brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers in an innovation community based in the city centre. It is an exemplar of sustainable urban development which combines prestigious commercial and residential space with first class research and education facilities. It is a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University and Legal and General to create more than 4,000 jobs, half a million square feet of office space and 450 new homes.
Jane Hogan, Elmer’s Great North Parade project lead, said: “We are delighted that Newcastle Helix have joined our growing herd of sponsors and are very grateful for their support. Electric Elmer will be an iconic sculpture that really captures and celebrates North East talent, I think it makes an excellent match that represents the ethos of the organisation!”
Elmer’s Great North Parade is an event delivered by St Oswald’s Hospice and supported by Wild in Art. St Oswald’s Hospice provides specialist care for North East adults, young people and children and support for family and loved ones. It is hoped that the event will raise more than £500,000 for babies, children and young adults in the community who are dealing with life-limiting conditions.
To find out more about Elmer’s Great North Parade visit https://www.stoswaldsuk.org/elmer/