Trio of trails offer Chesterfield art lovers the chance to get outside and explore

Chesterfield sculpture fans can head north and south this summer to enjoy some outdoor art.
By Jon Ball
Published 1st Apr 2021, 10:43 BST
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Art trails are being held in both Sheffield and Derby this summer, with bears lining the streets of the Steel City and rams to be found across Derby.

The Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail is raising money for Sheffield’s The Children’s Hospital Charity, having been postponed from summer 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The trail will comprise 60 sponsored bears, standing 2.1 metres tall, painted by different artists, and 100 little bears decorated by schools, nurseries and colleges.

Cheryl Davidson, event organiser, said: “The trail will be a great opportunity for us to get outside, explore Sheffield and celebrate the city, all for a good cause.”

The basic bear sculpture has been based on the sculpture in Sheffield Botanical Gardens’ old bear pit.

After the trail is complete, each small bear will be returned to its school, nursery or college, while the larger bears will be auctioned to raise more funds.

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It is hoped the trail can repeat the success of the Herd of Sheffield in 2016, when elephant sculptures attracted about 175,000 visitors to the city and raised £610,000.

Melanie Jackson's sculpture Growth, on Horns Bridge Roundabout, is featured on Chesterfield art Trail. It says: "The sculpture signifies the confidence and continuous growth of the town. The wheel design in the ground represents the town's many industries, both past and present, and twists upwards at the centre to form an emerging flower."Melanie Jackson's sculpture Growth, on Horns Bridge Roundabout, is featured on Chesterfield art Trail. It says: "The sculpture signifies the confidence and continuous growth of the town. The wheel design in the ground represents the town's many industries, both past and present, and twists upwards at the centre to form an emerging flower."
Melanie Jackson's sculpture Growth, on Horns Bridge Roundabout, is featured on Chesterfield art Trail. It says: "The sculpture signifies the confidence and continuous growth of the town. The wheel design in the ground represents the town's many industries, both past and present, and twists upwards at the centre to form an emerging flower."
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Trail based on mythical ram

Derby Ram Trail, also postponed from 2020, will see 30 decorated five-feet ram sculptures throughout the city.

The sculptures have now returned to to the Painting Space at the Derbion Centre, formerly intu Derby shopping centre, for their final touches.

Cheryl Davidson, Bears of Sheffield project manager with a bear by artist Tom Pigeon.Cheryl Davidson, Bears of Sheffield project manager with a bear by artist Tom Pigeon.
Cheryl Davidson, Bears of Sheffield project manager with a bear by artist Tom Pigeon.

They will then be installed at locations such as the new Museum of Making and Derby Cathedral, from May 27 to August 22.

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Tony Butler, Derby Museums executive director, said: “The trail is all about making art publicly accessible, offering something truly unique to all who visit Derby this summer.

“Following the trail will be a fantastic way to discover Derby in a way that’s never been seen before.”

Once the trail ends, the rams will be auctioned to raise money for Derby Museums’ endowment fund

A sneak peek of a ram called Railway Communities, by artist Holly Aspinall.A sneak peek of a ram called Railway Communities, by artist Holly Aspinall.
A sneak peek of a ram called Railway Communities, by artist Holly Aspinall.

The fibreglass sculptures are based on the mythical Derby Ram from an 18th Century song, which, according to legend, was 10 yards high with enormous horns and a huge flowing fleece.

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Closer to home, Chesterfield has its own, existing art trail, showcasing some of the town’s many outdoor sculptures, including Growth, on Horns Bridge Roundabout, and Infinity, next to Chesterfield Coach Station.

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