Community groups encouraged to "go wild"

Saturday 23 February 2019

How would YOU style up a gorilla? Local youth groups, charities and all sectors of the community are being invited to "go wild" for Durrell and take part in this summer’s life-sized gorilla art trail.

Durrell's ‘Go Wild’ Gorillas initiative will see 40 bright gorilla sculptures - each featuring a unique design by a local artist - form a public trail around the island in celebration of the wildlife conservation charity’s 60th anniversary this year.

It is hoped the large-scale community project, organised in partnership with Wild in Art, will bring together art and conservation to help raise funds for Durrell - in particular, for a state-of-the-art new gorilla house at Jersey Zoo.

Go Wild Gorillas will also play an important role in Durrell’s new strategy, which aims to encourage more people to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. Bailiwick Express is supporting the initiative as its media partner.

Video: The Gorilla designs were revealed earlier this month. 

Over 80 vibrant, fun and inspiring designs - created by a variety of international and local artists, including Nick Romeril, Ian Rolls and Abi Overland, were revealed to Durrell’s troop of gorilla sponsors earlier this month at Jersey Zoo.

Having received support from Citi, Durrell are now inviting community groups from across the island to take part.

Participating groups will have to raise funds for Durrell before receiving a blank young gorilla sculpture to decorate.

Imagination is highly encouraged and Durrell says community groups may wish to take inspiration from the natural world around them, 60 years of history at Jersey Zoo, the environmental plight of endangered species, local wildlife, global arts and culture, or even famous gorilla artists.

Pictured: The gorillas decorated by community groups will be returned this autumn.

The decorated gorillas will then be displayed on a young gorilla trail in secure and accessible indoor locations across the island to complement the larger Go Wild Gorilla sculptures decorated by artists from both near and far. In the autumn, the sculptures will be returned to the relevant groups as a lasting legacy.

Durrell will also offer opportunities for local artist and volunteers to support groups through the design and making stages.

Durrell’s Fundraising Manager, Beth Gallichan said the team were "excited" to have the opportunity to involve the whole community in the Go Wild Gorillas initiative. "We are inviting charities and community groups to contact us to find out how they can get involved.

"Everyone taking part will play a valuable role in this highly-visible art trail, which will not only showcase the exceptional talent within our community but will also make everyone smile!”

Video: Sarah Fitzgerald, Citi Vice President, on why they got involved.

Sarah Fitzgerald, Citi Vice President, added: “Citi is proud to support Durrell as a Community Partner on this exciting project to create a vibrant and inspirational public art event that will be open to everyone, as well as generating much needed funds for a new gorilla enclosure at Jersey Zoo.”