25-Nov-09 1:00 PM CST

Chester Artists Encouraged to Create Rhinos

ARTISTS from Chester are being urged to join a stampede and create their own rhino design as part of a major city arts festival next summer.

More than 70 key city stakeholders turned out to show their support for Rhino Mania - Chester’s first public arts show in the past 100 years.

Rhinos are set to storm the city from July next year, and stakeholders were among the first to catch a glimpse at three Rhino’s which will join a growing herd at the launch of Rhino Mania at the Blackhouse Grill, Chester.

Amongst the group of supporters and sponsors who attended the launch were Bank of America, Cheshire West and Chester and Big Storage who will be accommodating the growing herd until the stampede next summer.

Up to 70 decorated fibreglass 5ft by 6ft rhino sculptures will be placed in various parts of the city, to provide a trail from the river to the business park, out to the zoo.
Chief Executive of Chester Renaissance, Rita Waters said the trail will attract more than 400,000 visitors and generate an estimate £20 million spend in the city.

Alasdair McNee of Chester Zoo and Charlie Langhorne of Wild in Art, the producers of the event also spoke about how Rhino Mania will benefit both the city and the Black Rhino Field Conservation Trust.

Rhino Mania’s mascot ‘Rascal’ was the first to be introduced to the stakeholders during the evening, followed by a full size, 5ft black Rhino adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights.

Rita Waters said: “The message about why Rhino Mania will be such a special event within our city is clear, it’s about driving a healthy economy forward for the residents and business within Chester and for future generations ahead.

“It’s also about raising awareness of the endangered Rhinos and it’s about bringing key groups within the city together to achieve this successfully.”
A Rhino painted by Chester-based artist, Tamzin Harris inspired by 16th Century artist Durer was also on show.

Mrs Waters said the project’s next step would be to ask look for businesses to support Rhino Mania by sponsoring the Rhinos and for local artists to create designs and “achieve the most spectacular and best community art project this county has ever seen”. She added: “So we encourage everyone to be involved and join in the stampede!”

For business and artists looking to be involved and support Rhino Mania, there are information packs available on the Rhino Mania website, www.rhinomania.co.uk which includes details of sponsorship and where artists can send their 2D Rhino designs to.

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