The Big Dog Art trail wouldn’t be possible without the paw-some artists who dedicate their time and skills to bringing the Swindogs to life.
We’ll be showcasing some of the fantastic artists in the build-up to the trail and giving sneak peeks of their work on social media before all the sculptures will be revealed to the public on July 15, 2023.
We start with the eye-catching Pandemonia, who will be painting a Swindog which will feature on the trail at the Old Town Library and Art Centre.
Created mid 2000s by an anonymous London artist, Pandemonia is a multi-media conceptual Art project centred around a female motif constructed from symbols and archetypes.
They have had exhibitions at the Tate Modern in London, Selfridges and the La Art Show, to name a few but having the chance to paint a balloon dog for the trail was too good to turn down.
“I’m delighted to be painting a Swindog for Julia’s House.
“I like painting and I think it is going to be very exciting creating some public art on such an interesting sculpture.
“I can’t reveal my design yet but it will be a very amusing, colourful, celebration of art.”
Pandemonia, artist
Pandemonia will be painting their Swindog at the home of Julia’s House Patron Annabel Karmel, a bestselling author on nutrition and cooking for babies, children and families.
Annabel is a long-term supporter of Julia’s House and is throwing her support behind the trail by also sponsoring a Swindog and has been pivotal in securing artists like Pandemonia.
“I feel so privileged to have Pandemonia painting a sculpture at my house.
“I’ve always loved contemporary art and I’ve got some of my favourite artists, like Pandemonia, to paint some of the amazing sculptures and I’m so excited to see them take shape.
“I think it is a wonderful way to raise money for a really worthwhile charity and have some fun at the same time.
“These fantastic sculptures will bring art all around Swindon and give the public such joy over the summer.”
Annabel Karmel, Julia’s House Patron
Running from 15 July to 3 September 2023, the art trail will end with a grand farewell finale where all of the decorated Swindog sculptures will be brought together under one roof.
The giant one-of-a-kind sculptures will then head off to their forever homes after being adopted at a special auction event to raise money for Julia’s House children’s hospice.
“We are over the moon to have such a prestigious artist such as Pandemonia painting one of the Swindogs.
“From the high profile artists to those close to home, the trail will be a real celebration of public art which we hope will attract hundreds of thousands of people to Swindon.
“The trail ends with the sculptures being auctioned off, with all money raised going to Julia’s House, so to have artists like Pandemonia on board will only mean more funds to provide care for the local families who need it most.”
Chris Hyde, Project Manager
There is still a chance for you and your business to sponsor a Swindog and be seen by thousands of visitors in Swindon this summer.
Your donations make a life-changing difference
Julia’s House is your local children’s hospice charity, providing a lifeline of care for the most seriously ill children and their families across Wiltshire and Dorset.
Each family we support is unique and so is the care we provide. When a family finds out that their child has a very serious medical condition their world falls apart. Julia’s House exists to help these children and their families.
Find out more about Julia’s House
Join the conversation
#BigDogArtTrail
bigdogarttrail
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bigdogarttrail
Sep 29
Of the thousands of you who came and enjoyed The Big Dog Art Trail 2023 – we had many a smile, and a selfie!
Here some of the top tail-wagging pics we had sent in 🐶
Find out what exciting plans we have next by following us @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice or by signing up to our newsletter.
Link in our bio or here: www.juliashouse.org/BigDog
#bigdogarttrail #thebigdogarttrail2023 #wildinart #juliashousechildrenshospice #juliashousehospice #swindonarttrail #swindog #bbcwiltshire #bbcwest #visitengland #visituk #visitswindon #igersswindon #swindonsmallbusiness #swindonbusiness #swindonvolunteers #swindonlife #swindonartist #wiltshire #visitwiltshire …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 28
Bow-Wow what a summer it’s been! We’re so grateful for all of you who came along to enjoy the trail this year.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane on some of the trail’s top dog moments, including:
🐾 Hours of painstaking BTS scenes with our incredible artists hard at work
🐾 An exciting launch weekend
🐾 Fun in the sun on our Sponsor Selfie day
🐾 Farewell Weekend filled with all the pups back together again
🐾 Our Grand Auction, where we raised more than £165k for the incredible @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice
Thank you Swindon – we couldn`t have done it without you!
Don`t forget to follow @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice or sign up to our newsletter to find out what exciting plans we have next!
Link in our bio
#bigdogarttrail #thebigdogarttrail2023 #wildinart #juliashousechildrenshospice #juliashousehospice #swindonarttrail #swindog #swinpup #swindonsummer #outdoorconcerts #pimmsfestival #pimmsinthepark #swindonevents …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 27
Pup, pup and away!
They`ve loved their adventures across town, but the time has come for the Swinpups to go back home…
One of the most magical parts of The Big Dog Art Trail has been seeing the joy and creativity that the sculptures sparked in schools and community groups across Swindon.
We`re so grateful to every single teacher, leader, student, artist and supporter who helped to create the 42 Swinpups that made the trail absolutely paw-some.
And a special thanks to Swindon Borough Council, the trail`s Learning Programme Partner.
Get all the pup-dates and find out what`s next for Julia`s House by following @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice or by signing up to our newsletter. Link in our story. …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 24
The Big Dog Art Trail isn’t just about tail-wagging fun and stunning art…🐾
The trail supports the essential work of your local children’s hospice, Julia’s House, who offer practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.
Thanks to your contributions to the trail this year, we’ve been able to raise vital funds to help Julia’s House provide a lifeline of care to the most seriously ill children and their families in Swindon and Wiltshire.
This will help more families access:
⭐ Emotional and practical support from expert nurses and carers
⭐ Respite sessions so they can take a break from caring around the clock
⭐ Bereavement advice and support
You can find out more about Julia’s House families and events by signing up to our newsletter here/via the link in our bio: www.juliashouse.org/BigDog
@JuliasHouseChildrensHospice
#bigdogarttrail #thebigdogarttrail2023 #wildinart #juliashousechildrenshospice #juliashousehospice #swindonarttrail #swindog #swinpup …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 23
If you missed out at our auction and would love a mini balloon dog of your own, we`ve got a paws-itively fab offer from @YappieDogs to share!
When you use promo code JH10, you`ll get 10% off their colourful range of resin balloon dogs. Plus Yappie Dogs will also donate £10 to Julia`s House on your behalf.
Just head to their website and enter the promo code JH10 to redeem the offer: www.yappiedogs.com
#bigdogarttrail #balloondogs #yappiedogs …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 20
Drumroll please… the results from our Grand Auction are in! 🥁
We had an incredible evening and bid-tastic time at the STEAM museum – raising a woofing £165,800 for @Juliashousechildrenshospice 🐶
All 34 auctioned Swindogs have now gone to their fur-ever homes to unleash a new life.
Thanks so much to everyone who bid on the night! Your support will help us continue to provide our lifeline of care to local families of seriously ill children.
#JuliasHouse #WildinArt @wildinart …