Families will soon be able to join a brand-new interactive trail, as ten eye-catching life-sized horses ride into North Lincolnshire.
Talented artists have worked with local school children and community groups, including North Lincolnshire Museum’s group for adults with additional needs, Museum Makers, to plan their horse designs, which will be displayed outside landmarks across Scunthorpe town centre and beyond.
Cllrs Rob Waltham and John Davison were the first to see the first horse unveiled, joining artist Angela Gordon and Museum Makers members at North Lincolnshire Museum. All ten horses will be on display for the launch of the trail on Sunday 28 July.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are pressing ahead with ambitious plans to dramatically expand our cultural offer, ensuring residents of all ages have access to fun, family friendly activities on their doorstep.
“Work is progressing at pace to create ‘Discover @20-21’, a free, flagship attraction in Scunthorpe town centre that will inspire our young people with hands-on experiences in science, maths, engineering, and art.
“Art should be for everyone. We want residents to have the opportunity to experience culture in the heart of their communities – as they shop, exercise, and explore. That is where this interactive trail comes in. The designs look fantastic, and I hope residents enjoy finding all twenty horses and experiencing everything our brilliant towns and villages have to offer.”
The ‘Horsing Around’ trail is one of a host of activities taking place locally to celebrate the 300th birthday of world-renowned horse painter, George Stubbs, and his little-known connection to North Lincolnshire.
Families will be able to discover five horses in Scunthorpe town centre, at Café Indie, Scunthorpe Central, 20-21, Central Park, and North Lincolnshire Museum
A further four will be displayed in locations connected to Stubbs: Horkstow, Barton’s Baysgarth Park, Scawby, and Redbourne.
The final horse will trot into Normanby Hall Country Park’s Rural Life Museum. There will also be ten miniature horses to find around the park.
Copies of the trail booklet will be available at North Lincolnshire Museum, Normanby Hall and other locations across the region. The map and information about the sculptures will also be available digitally on the North Lincolnshire Museum website.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for community wellbeing (urban), said: “We have some amazingly talented artists and residents living in North Lincolnshire and I’m thrilled we have been able to provide this platform for them to express their creativity.
“Our last sculpture trail – 2021’s Of Earth and Sky – won a national Hearts for the Arts award and inspired thousands of people to visit our area. We hope residents and visitors alike will enjoy exploring more of our great county while they search for these amazing horse sculptures.”
Have you spotted any of the horses? Join the search and share your selfie by using #HorsingAroundNL
Horsing Around is a North Lincolnshire Council project, brought to life by leading public art specialists, Wild in Art, who’s spectacular animations provided the backdrop to the London 2012 Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and more.
Additional funding has come from Arts Council England through the Humber Museums Partnership, of which North Lincolnshire Museums is a partner.
Find out more about the trail on North Lincolnshire Museum’s website.
