Oxford Bus Company, Oxford City Football Club, Blenheim Palace, Darcica and Bidwells are among the businesses supporting the ‘ox-traordinary’ sculpture trail by Sobell House Hospice.
Some of the county’s largest businesses have been announced as sponsors of OxTrail, the giant art installation event which is being bought to Oxford by Sobell House Hospice next year.
More than half of the 30 specially designed life-sized ox sculptures have now been sponsored by companies in and around the city, but there is still a chance to ‘join the herd’.
Oxford Bus Company, Oxford City Football Club, Blenheim Palace, Bidwells Property Consultants, Beard Construction Company and Hartwell Automotive Group are just some of the first businesses to get involved. They will each have their very own ‘ox-citing’ life-sized animal on the trail next year.
Key partners for the trail have also been announced. Darcica Logistics, which provides sustainable solutions for efficient delivery and fulfilment services across Oxfordshire, is OxTrail’s official logistics partner. It will help to transport sculptures around the region to and from artists and around the trail next summer.
Amelia Foster, CEO of Sobell House Hospice Charity, said: “The initial response to OxTrail has been fantastic, and we’ve already got some great businesses on board. There are still opportunities to sponsor your very own ox too.
“The bigger the trail, the better. Those that get involved will be proactively supporting the footfall and visitor engagement for all businesses and attractions throughout Oxford. It’s a great project to be a part of for our city.”
Oxford Brookes University has been revealed as the official learning programme partner for the event. It will be creating an imaginative and inspirational schools programme to help schools decorate herds of mini ox and embark on fun, educational and fundraising activities in the lead-up and throughout the trail.
Michelle Montgomery, Associate Dean Strategy and Development at Oxford Brookes University, said: “Oxford Brookes is delighted to be working with Sobell House as the Learning Partner for OxTrail 2024.
“Excellence in education is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re looking forward to providing inspiration and support for the creation of a magical herd of mini oxen.”
The first decorated oxen, including OxTrail’s hero ox – Oxley – were recently unveiled in an exclusive event at the Blavatnik School of Government.
OxTrail will launch to the public on 06 July 2024, and the art will be on display until the end of early September 2024. After this, the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for the hospice.
For more information on sponsoring an ox or about OxTrail, visit the project’s dedicated website at oxtrail2024.co.uk
OxTrail is being held in partnership with Wild in Art. Cities across the world have famously brought their streets to life via Wild in Art installations, including Manchester, Sydney, Cape Town and São Paulo.
