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Following the resounding success of Christchurch’s Pop Up Penguins art trail in 2020/21 and Christchurch Stands Tall’s giraffes in 2014, the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust is delighted to be partnering with global public art specialists Wild in Art to bring a new sculpture trail to Christchurch and surrounding areas in the summer of 2023/2024. The latest sculpture trail is based on the beloved children’s book character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and will be raising funds to build a new campus for the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust that unites all of their services under one roof and at one location.

For 12 weeks, 30 large Elmer sculptures all uniquely decorated by artists, will appear in our streets, parks and open spaces. They will form a fun, free, family-friendly art trail for residents and visitors to discover. A feel-good campaign we can all be proud of, Elmer’s Ōtautahi Elephant Trail will bring communities together to help them celebrate their city and surrounding areas through creativity.

Before all of that – we need artists to bring them to life…

We are actively encouraging submissions from the local and regional arts community. Join the art trail and have your work seen by hundreds of thousands of people! Designs are welcomed in any medium – traditional to new media, fine art to illustrations, graffiti and mosaic. Whatever your art form, we’re keen to add drama, fun and a creative flourish to Elmer’s Ōtautahi Elephant Trail!

The Art Programme is generously supported by our sponsor Resene who will be supplying commissioned artists with paint and artistic supplies.

Submissions must be completed online by midnight on 30 April 2023.

For further information please visit www.elmerchch.co.nz/artists