With thousands of people already coming up close to Break’s GoGoDiscover 21 T.rex, which are brightening up Norwich’s streets this summer and helping Break raise funds so that it continue to provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care, meet some of the artists who designed and decorated some of the colossal sculptures.
Aylsham-based artist, Mik Richardson, designed Afternoon Tea-Rex, sponsored by and located at Chantry Place. This is the fourth time Mik has worked on a Break sculpture trail, with his previous pieces raising over £68,000 for the East Anglian children’s charity. Although Mik has painted over 100 sculptures for over 30 trails across the UK, including a special commission for Blue Peter and a piece brought by Ed Sheeran, Afternoon Tea-Rex is the biggest sculpture he has worked on – at 2 metres tall. Taking roughly 10 days to decorate, Mik used acrylic and emulsion paints to bring the tea-riffic T. Rex to life, and added a real tea tray and cake stand. “Rex is a waiter, but with his tiny little arms, he has to balance items on his head and back”, said Mik, “so don’t even consider asking him to pick up that dropped spoon from the floor.” Mik wasn’t always an artist, in fact he spent 27 years as an avionics engineer in the RAF.
Sally Adams is a former London prop maker, who now lives in Norwich, and is an ardent Break supporter. She is already working on the 2022 trail for Break and has decorated two T.rex for the 2021 trail; Rex, sponsored by Jarrolds, and Lost Holmes, sponsored by Aspiration Europe. Sally commented: "Virtually everything we know about dinosaurs comes from their enormous bones, so Rex is a giant dog and has run off with one of the bones! Inspiration for Lost Holmes was taken from two works by Arthur Conan-Doyle, ‘Lost Worlds’ and, of course, ‘Sherlock.” Other work on public display by Sally include the stainless-steel dragonfly at How Hill, the grasshopper at Greshams at Holt and the Police HQ Memorial Fountain at Wymondham.
Ryan Newell is a freelance illustrator and animator based in Norwich, working on everything from pet portraits to vehicle graphics. Previously involved with three Break trails, for GoGoDiscover 2021, Ryan designed Where’s Rexy, sponsored by Riverside Entertainment, with the theme of retro computer games. Decorated with acrylics, the work took Ryan about six weeks to complete. Ryan said: “It’s a large piece, but I've painted an elephant and a dragon before, so I wasn’t intimidated by the scale.”
Sophie Li-Rocchi is Head of Art at Gresham Prep school and this year has designed and decorated two T.rex - Dino Hunter and SNAP! “SNAP!, sponsored by Castle Quarter, is based on Norwich’s famous medieval dragon, who would entertain the crowds at St George’s Day celebrations and at processions held for the inauguration of new Mayors”, explained Sophie. “The tradition still exists today at the annual Lord Mayors Procession. Some of the original dragons are kept in Norwich Castle Museum, so I was able to base my design on these. Dino Hunter is ready for an adventure - he has his binoculars and all the equipment he could possibly need to hunt for dinosaurs on the streets of Norwich. Sponsored by First Eastern Counties Buses, other dinosaur hunters should look out for the bus ticket and bus map in the Dino Hunter design.” Fitting the work around teaching commitments, Sophie worked on the sculptures for over seven months.
Tracey Warnes, GoGoDiscover Art Co-ordinator at Break, said: “The artists have done an amazing job creating these unique and beautiful works of art. The feedback has been brilliant and everyone is loving seeing the T.rex around Norwich. The artists are such a vital part of this event - from coming up with ideas, working with sponsors and decorating the sculptures, and then helping us raise funds for Break at auction. We are now on the lookout for artists to be involved in 2022 with even more T.rex and Steppe Mammoth sculptures being unleashed around Norfolk. We’d love to hear from artists who think outside the box to create designs which will make people smile.”
Artists interested in being involved with GoGoDiscover can download an artist information pack and submission form via this link https://www.break-charity.org/
Running from now until Saturday 11th September 2021, the GoGoDiscover charity sculpture trail is delivered by East Anglian based children’s charity Break, in partnership with Wild in Art. The presenting partners of GoGoDiscover 2021 are Norwich BID and Chantry Place.
While the trail is free, people who have enjoyed the sculptures can donate to Break via text or on the website, so that Break can continue to transform futures and change the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the region. For more information about Break visit break-charity.org
Text TREX to 70085 to donate £3. Texts cost £3, plus one standard rate message. #GoGoDiscover
GoGoDiscover’s 21 T.rex sculptures have stomped off the streets after nine weeks of bringing colour, fun, discovery and beautiful art to Norwich this summer. Discover the impact that the trail had in numbers and when the T.rex will return with teeth…
GoGoDiscover has been delivered by local charity, Break, in partnership with Wild in Art. Based on the number of trails maps printed, distributed and digitally downloaded from the Break website, the GoGoDiscover project team estimate a minimum of 300,000 visitors took on the trail this summer.
The free trail has raised thousands in fundraising for children’s charity Break, who provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care. The charity has seen a big increase in visitors to their website, as well as increased engagement across all Break and GoGoDiscover social media channels.
Talented local and national artists decorated the 2 metre sculptures and nearly 50 volunteer trail rangers gave up their time to help support Break and look after the T.rex.
After a callout for volunteers to help look after and maintain its 21 large T.rex sculptures in Norwich for GoGoDiscover 2021, Break has recruited a team of 40 trail rangers to enjoy behind-the-scenes access to the event, assist with the cleaning and presentation of the sculptures, develop new skills and help with fundraising efforts. Meet some of the trail rangers giving up their time to support the charity this summer so that Break can continue to provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care…
Sandra Boston and her daughter Anne, who live in Swanton Morley, both wanted to get involved in looking after the prehistoric visitors, as Sandra comments: “It is great fun to volunteer, is a way of giving back and allows you to meet some lovely people. Looking after the dinosaurs, talking to the public and seeing the excitement in children's eyes when they see them is just so rewarding. As trail rangers, we make sure the sculptures are clean and in good condition, and you do find yourself getting almost attached to them – I even find myself talking to them at times! Break does a great job of supporting and working with vulnerable young people. I work with students with additional needs and see how the support they need is not just in education, but at home and in the community, which Break provides vital support with.”
Both Sandra and Anne also got involved in the GoGoHares trail, as Anne says: “I started volunteering alongside my mum for Break’s GoGoHares and also help with other Break events too. This year we have been given four T.rex to keep an eye on and it really makes you respect and appreciate the art and artists, and their amazing craftmanship, because we get a really close look at the sculptures! We clean them and make sure they are in a good condition – it feels like checking in on a friend whenever we visit them! I like supporting Break and these trails are a great way to get communities out to visit these works of art, support artists and raise vital funds for Break, supporting young people in less privileged places in life than me.”
Get ready to GoGo - 21 T.rex have now stomped into the city for Break’s GoGoDiscover T.rex trail. Here is everything you need to know…
GoGoDiscover 2021 takes place for nine weeks from Monday 12th July until Saturday 11th September with 21 colourful T.rex in Norwich.
While the trail is free, East Anglian children’s charity Break, who deliver the trail in partnership with Wild in Art, hope to raise vital funds so that it can continue to provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care. People can donate online here or text TREX to 70085 to donate £3. Texts cost £3, plus one standard rate message.
The names of the 2 metre tall T.rex are Prideasaurus, B-Rex, T.Pot, Afternoon Tea-Rex, T-Wrecks, Hawker, Doctasaurus, Hulkasaurus, 60 Million Years, Tigrasaurus, SNAP!, Dino Hunter, Lava Land, Rex, The Junkasaurus Rex, Do you think they saurus?, Eyela the T.spex, Automotosaurus, Where’s Rexy, Lost Holmes and Tyra-Norvy-Saurus.
The T.rex are located in Norwich Cathedral, Chantry Place, Riverside, The Forum, Castle Quarter and Jarrold. They can also be found on All Saints Green, Davey Place, Fye Bridge, Orford Hill, St Georges Street, London Street and Junkyard Market.
With just one month to go until Break’s GoGoDiscover T.rex trail launches, excitement is building as the city gets ready to welcome the 20 colossal sculptures when they stomp into popular locations including Norwich Cathedral, Chantry Place, Riverside, Castle Quarter and Jarrold. In preparation for the trail starting on 12th July, Break, who provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care, has released some fun facts about these fierce visitors.
Measuring approximately 2 metres tall and weighing around 85kg, each T.rex sculpture is individually made from toughened fibreglass. The sculptures are all sponsored by businesses from across the region and have been decorated by talented artists to create unique designs. The T.rex aren’t all just painted – some have had additional decorations, embellishments and even a few usual props added to really bring the sculpture themes to life.
To mark Volunteers’ Week, between 1st and 7th June 2021, Break is appealing for volunteers to get up close to 20 large T.rex this summer by signing-up to be a GoGoDiscover Trail Ranger.
There are a handful of exciting volunteer positions available and you don’t even need to be a dinosaur expert to apply! The T.rex Rangers will each be needed a few times throughout the summer as part of Break’s colourful GoGoDiscover trail to help maintain the sculptures, promote the trail and ensure it is a success, as well as support Break’s fundraising efforts.
In addition to recruiting Trail Rangers for the summer, Break is also seeking volunteer mentors, fundraising volunteers and retail volunteers to support its work across the region. As a charity, Break relies on an incredible team of volunteers to help support its fundraising team so that it can continue to provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care.
Sarah Bunn, Community Fundraising Manager at Break, said: “We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and committed team of volunteers to support our prehistoric parade and, as well as it being lots of fun, the Trail Rangers will receive training, develop new skills and enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the biggest events taking place in Norwich this year. Trail Rangers will also assist with the cleaning and presentation of the sculptures, ensuring every T.rex looks its best, and help with fundraising efforts. As a charity, we are always looking for people to spread the word about Break and we have lots of opportunities to volunteer at our amazing events to raise funds to support the work we do with children and young people.”