Dartford has become home to a vibrant new public art installation, with more than 80 colourful bear sculptures now dotted across the borough. The 'Bear Hunt' art trail, which opened this week, draws its inspiration from the beloved children's book, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, bringing a whimsical touch to parks, streets, museums, and shops.
The collection comprises 31 large bear sculptures, alongside over 50 smaller bear cub figures. These artistic creations are the result of collaborative efforts from various artists, schools, and community groups across Kent, each offering a unique design. The free-to-access trail is expected to attract a significant number of visitors, with organisers anticipating more than 250,000 people, making it one of Dartford's largest public art events to date.
Beyond its artistic appeal, the primary goal of the 'Bear Hunt' trail is to generate awareness and crucial funds for ellenor, a Kent-based charity specialising in palliative and end-of-life care for patients and their families. Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, the trail's producer, highlighted the event as a "wonderful chance to bring people together, celebrate creativity and raise valuable funds" for the hospice charity.
The Bluewater Shopping Centre, serving as the trail's official partner, is hosting a dedicated community hub. This space provides an opportunity for visitors to delve deeper into the project, learn about the inspiration behind each sculpture, and understand the wider impact of the initiative. A spokesperson for ellenor drew a parallel between the book's famous mantra, "we can't go over it, we can't go under it, we've got to go through it," and the charity's mission to support families through life's challenges.
In addition to the main trail, a select number of extra bears, also created as part of the project, will be directly auctioned. These auctions are intended to further boost the fundraising efforts for ellenor, contributing to the charity's capacity to provide essential care and support services across Kent. The trail is set to remain in place for the coming months, offering ample opportunity for residents and tourists alike to enjoy the artwork and contribute to a worthy cause.