Penguin countdown!
There’s just one week to go before Go Penguins explodes onto the streets of Merseyside.
Final touches and coats of varnish are being added to the penguins before the public art extravaganza hits the streets and public spaces of the region on November 22 for seven fun-filled weeks.
The event will comprise of over 150 individually designed and created 5ft penguins – each one skillfully crafted by local artists. Part of Liverpool’s ‘Winters Trail’ celebrations, the city-centre will be animated and invigorated by their new residents, with Wirral and St Helens also hosting their very own colonies.
As the Trail winds its way around the indoor and outdoor spaces of the region, Christmas shoppers and city visitors will be astounded by the sculptures in all their Technicolor glory. Designs include a traditional Father Christmas, angels and snowmen as well as super heroes, famous cyclists, proud peacocks and even designs by Paul O’Grady and Johnny Vegas. Visitors to the Albert Dock will also see a special installation where they can watch our penguins at play.
The event is being delivered by Wild In Art, the people behind the phenomenally successful Go Superlambananas – a highlight of the Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations. Commissioned by Liverpool City Council as a finale to their ‘Year of the Environment’ many penguins carry messages about climate change.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said, ‘’Go Penguins has unleashed a phenomenal amount of creativity in our schools and arts community and the flock look absolutely fantastic. The anticipation and excitement is huge and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved. Thanks to them I’ve no doubt Liverpool will boast the best and most original Christmas decorations to be seen anywhere in the UK this year.''
The event includes the UK’s largest public art Schools Programme with 98 schools taking part, equating to approximately 45,000 children engaging in the project and with the climate change issue. Their mini penguins will also be publicly displayed throughout Liverpool during the event.
Sally-Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild in Art added: “We didn’t think it was possible to top the success of Go Superlambananas in 08, but we were wrong. Go Penguins is now almost twice as big as its sister event. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from the people of Merseyside and we know they will love the penguins every bit as much as the Superlambananas. We hope that everyone will come out to see them and have lots of fun meeting each and every one of them.”
With the region sparkling that little bit brighter this Christmas, make sure you don’t miss the march of the Merseyside Penguins.
Visit www.gopenguins.co.uk for more details.
