02 Aug 2012
KAT’s and Giraffes are two animals that don’t often appear together in the same sentence but we’re head over heels for giraffes here at Kat Creativ HQ thanks to our involvement in promoting the spectacular event planned to celebrate Colchester Zoo’s 50th birthday – Stand Tall for Giraffes.
Colchester Zoo has been bringing smiles to the faces of the people of Essex and further afield for 50 fantastic years and to say thank you to the people who have supported them in this time they are bringing a huge public art event to the streets, parks and open spaces of Colchester in the summer of 2013 – 2.5m tall giraffe sculptures!
The spectacular sculptures will be painted by local artists and are expected to bring with them a surge of visitors to the town, boosting our local economy and, more importantly, a feel-good factor that will get us all out onto the streets and parks to take in the fantastic sights and sounds of Stand Tall.
There is an important message behind Stand Tall – the conservation of endangered animal species worldwide. So, with this in mind the event will culminate in an auction of the sculptures to raise funds for global conservation projects through the zoo’s charity Action For The Wild, including the charity’s UmPhafa Reserve in South Africa.
Celebrities are lending their support to Stand Tall too including Wildlife TV presenter Michaela Strachan, and Steve Backshall, British naturalist, writer and television presenter who says, “Art is one of the great ways of expressing what it is to be human, biology does much the same. I wish you all the very best with this wonderful project – I just wish you let me do one of the giraffes myself!”
A ‘Preview’ tour is taking place this summer so keep an eye out for one of the giant giraffes as he visits various locations throughout the town and county to promote next year’s activity, here are just a few:
August 1st – Colchester Zoo
August 2nd – Sainsbury’s Tollgate
August 3rd – ASDA Colchester
August 4th – Jumbo
August 7th – Newsquest and Lion Walk
August 8th – Colchester United
August 11th – Odeon Colchester
August 12th – Clacton Pier
August 14th – Meadows Chelmsford
August 15th – Castle Park, Colchester
August 15th – Firstsite, Colchester
A colourful Stand Tall mural is currently in situ at Roman House and further ones are planned at The Mercury Theatre external walls and Sainsbury’s Tollgate imposing glass front of store – you won’t miss them when you’re out shopping.
Local businesses, councils and organisations have stepped up to show their support by providing generous sponsorship. They include firstsite, University of Essex, Heart FM, Newsquest, Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council, The SVC Group, Clarke Infinity, Sainsbury, Cofunds, Kent Blaxill and many more. Further sponsorship and support and would be very welcome. If you’d like to get involved, download the Sponsorship Information Pack and the Sponsorship Order Form from www.colchester-zoo.com/standtall