Hare to Stay l ai Big Hare Tr he T Artists Pack brought to you by: www.thebigharetrail.co.uk opping soon H to a place near you Get ready for the summer of 2021 when a spectacular public art event will hop its way across North Berwick with 10 uniquely designed Hares forming a free, fun and family-friendly trail for all to enjoy. A drove of larger than life Hares will form the most unique outdoor public art event East Lothian has ever seen, bringing together the community for one unforgettable experience. The Big Hare Trail 2021 is being brought to East Lothian by Leuchie House, National Respite Centre and Wild in Art – but we can’t do it alone. We need artists to be our inspiring creative partners in this exciting first for the Charity! Designs are welcome in any art form – traditional to new media, fine art to illustrations, graffiti and mosaic. Whatever form you choose, we want your sculpture to bring creative fun, drama and excitement to The Big Hare Trail. Your sculpture will be a part of Leuchie House's 10th Anniversary celebrations forming part of the Hare to Stay campaign. opping soon H to a place near you Leuchie House became an independent charity in 2011 following a high profile 'Save Leuchie' campaign. During which time the local community came together to ensure Leuchie could continue to provide Wild in Art is a leading producer of creative essential respite breaks for people and events that transform their families living with the long term places into free, family- effects of MS, MND, Parkinson's and other friendly, outdoor art neurological conditions. This fantastic galleries. Since 2008, public art event is our way of saying thank they have animated more than 50 cities you, shouting from the rooftops that we across the world with are Hare to Stay and inviting you to come sculptures, helping celebrate with us. We are sure - after millions of people reading all about our Hare sculptures experience art outside - you'll want to get involved in this of traditional settings. unforgettable, unmissable art event. www.wildinart.co.uk Mark Bevan CEO, Leuchie House y should yo h u g ? W et involved The Big Hare Trail makes a wonderful showcase for your work, reaching an audience of thousands in a unique way and bringing you together with a community of other artists. Our beautiful Hare sculptures offer an inspirational, blank 3D canvas for you to have fun with and work your creative magic on. You may decide to run free with a design that’s vibrant, dazzling, entertaining and light-hearted or you could go with a theme that’s close to your heart such as celebrating communities, promoting health and wellbeing or caring for the natural world. Wherever you get your inspiration, we can’t wait to see what you come up with! y should yo h u g ? W et involved #standoutfromthedrove The trail will Include at least 10 large Hares each uniquely designed by an artist, forming a trail throughout North Berwick and featuring some of the town’s most iconic backdrops. OUR AIMS • showcase professional and emerging artists from the local area and further afield. • support local businesses by attracting thousands of visitors to the area to visit the trail. • provide you with exposure to a vast audience of new fans and a powerful social media presence. • give you the opportunity to work with a commercial sponsor who chooses your design. • engage thousands of school children and young people through the Learning Programme. • boost pride in East Lothian and surrounding areas. • promote health and wellbeing, and get people active. • raise awareness and vital funds for Leuchie House. #thebigharetrail ig Ha he B re T T rai l Timeline The Big Hare Trail Timeline March 2021 Sponsors activation March 2021 event - March 25. Official Press launch of The Big Hare Trail Sculpture Trail. April 2021 Artists submission deadline and our selection event, where sponsors choose their artist’s design. April - June 2021 Artists decorate their Hare sculptures. October 2021 Farewell weekend – last chance to see all the Hares together. Hares auctioned to raise funds for Leuchie House. July - September 2021 The Hare to Stay sculpture trail is live across East Lothian! e all abou ar t it! H How do es it work? #thebigharetrail Businesses, groups, charities and individuals are invited to sponsor a large blank Hare – your canvas for a unique, much-sought-after artistic opportunity. Artists are invited to submit designs which will be shortlisted by a panel. Those shortlisted will then be displayed and the sponsors will have the chance to select their favourite design and artist for their Hare. The Sculptures will arrive and be brought to life by our 10 selected artists and their designs. The giant Hare sculptures will go on display in North Berwick and surrounding areas at key landmarks in East Lothian throughout summer 2021, for everyone to enjoy. After the event, the large sculptures will be sold at auction with the proceeds going to Leuchie House, to help them continue making the difference to the lives of people living with the long-term effects of a range of neurological conditions through individualised short respite breaks, as well as an essential break for their carers. The charity aims to be more than just a change of caring environment and instead offers a wonderful holiday experience, enabled by our 24 hour nursing and care. We run a number of projects to enhance the well-being of our guests during their stay, and in the hope that the benefits they experience last long after they’ve returned home. Be inspired, get imaginative and celebrate East Lothian by supporting The Big Hare Trail by designing a sculpture. It's a giant- sized way to get noticed! y a Ha Wh re? In Celtic mythology and folklore the Hare has links to the mysterious and magical, these creatures have been fascinating people for centuries. March Hares otherwise known as Brown Hares, herald the arrival of Spring on 21st March. Marking the rebirth of the natural world after its long Winter sleep. They are a poignant symbol of the continuation of life, positivity and regeneration; it feels apt as a symbol both for Leuchie House’s 10 year anniversary and for East Lothian after the unprecedented events of 2020 due to Covid-19. Becoming an independent charity In June 2010, the MS Society took the decision to close its four respite centres in the UK, including Leuchie House. Following a high profile Save Leuchie campaign, our patron, Mairi O’Keefe, secured a support package which allowed Leuchie House to be reborn as an independent charity. Launching on 4 July 2011, the new status has enabled Leuchie to widen its reach, and to provide a vital package that has improved the lives of thousands of people with MS and other neurological conditions. Did you know? We are Hare to Stay A group of Hares is The theme Hare to Stay was chosen as a fun way to celebrate called a drove! Leuchie’s 10th anniversary and to raise vital funding to ensure we’re Hare to Stay for the future! The Covid-19 pandemic makes this event all the more important, not just for Leuchie House, but for the many local businesses and individuals who have been affected. Artist Guidelines y a Ha When planning your design, here are some things to keep in mind. Wh re? • You may submit up to two designs. You must sign our standard copyright agreement for each design (see Terms and Conditions at the end of this pack). • When planning your designs, please make sure they are appropriate for public display, bearing in mind the audience will be broad-based and of all ages. Designs that are overtly religious, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted. • Corporate logos and advertising are not allowed. • Artists may alter the basic sculpture shape but, if doing so, must ensure the finished work remains structurally intact. It’s recommended that only artists experienced in working with fibreglass submit designs that use this process. • Remember the public will touch and interact with your sculpture! Some people may even rest or sit on it. So any attachments must be robust and able to withstand this handling (including, potentially, the weight of an adult), not likely to cause injury and durable in an outside environment. • A painting space will be provided for you to create your Hare. Should you wish to paint it in your own studio, you will be responsible for collection and delivery. • While we welcome all art forms, collage and/or sticking paper or paper-based products onto the sculpture has not proven as effective as painting or mosaics. Please consider this before submitting your design and be aware most sculptures will be positioned outside. • When placed on the streets, each sculpture is bolted to a concrete base using fixings. Artists are requested to keep the base area clear of any attachments. • Artist materials are not provided. The use of water-based acrylic paints is recommended although artificial resin paint or two-component paint can also be used to paint or spray a design. To complete your sculpture, it must be finished with a waterproof, non-yellowing varnish which will be provided. • Artists will not be responsible for placing their sculptures on the trail or collecting them at the end of the event. We do, however, ask artists to be available during and after the event for any touch-up work that may be required.