Horsing around at Cheltenham

Visit Cheltenham this month and you’re in for a spectacular sight. A ‘trail’ of life-size horse sculptures has been positioned at key locations throughout the town centre, from Montpellier to the Racecourse…

The ten horses have been created by both national and local artists and are well worth seeing.

Horse Parade 1

One horse has been decorated by local community groups. Led by Su Billington from deepspace studios and Nikki Whitfield from Cheltenham Open Studios, 100 students from Glenfall Primary School and Artshape were invited to come up with a design inspired by the Cheltenham Festival’s centenary in 100 minutes.
The decoration of others are linked to their sponsors; for example Sam Charles Hodgson has created a beautiful vision of interior elements of Ellenborough Park for them, and Sally Lancaster has painted vignettes of legendary Cheltenham winners for the Racing Post. PJ Crook’s horses make some references to her sponsors – the University of Gloucestershire and the Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. Alison Little’s for the Regent Arcade is all about shopping and Carrie Reichardt has created a Trojan Horse for her sponsor John Baker.

Horse Parade 2

The horses will be in situ around Cheltenham until 15 October 2011. After the exhibition they will be displayed at the Racecourse and auctioned for each sponsor’s respective charity. Visit www.cheltenham.artgallery.museum for more details about the project. Click here to view the map of the trail.