THERE will be one young man who will be particularly keen to head out on the Zany Zebras trail that is set to hit Southampton this summer.
Daniel Granger will see his own artwork on display after his design was chosen by radio station Wave 105 to adorn their sculpture.
Hundreds of Wave 105 listeners were asked to vote for the zaniest design to decorate one of the many Marwell Wildlife zebra sculptures which will be dotted around the city centre as part of the art extravaganza.
Three designs were shortlisted from those sent into the radio station and hundreds voted online for the winning design, Zeffe, by 12-year-old Daniel Granger from Lymington.
A mixture of giraffe and zebra with hints of Wave 105 colours, Daniel’s winning design has been realised by professional artist Sally Goodden, who joined other artists in the public painting space in the Marlands Shopping Centre to create the colourful sculptures.
Wave 105 commercial director Jon Brooks said: “We are delighted that Daniel’s design will be joining the zeal of Marwell’s Zany Zebras to create memorable street art for the public to enjoy. It is a wonderful event to be involved with, bringing art and animals to hundreds of thousands.”
One hundred of the region’s schools and youth groups have been designing and decorating their own small sculptures as part of the Marwell’s Zany Zebras Education programme that will feature on the trail in Southampton too.
In addition to the sculptures in Southampton a trail of replica miniature Marwell’s Zany Zebras sculptures will also be hidden at Marwell Zoo for visitors to discover.
Organised by the team behind Go! Rhinos in 2013, the free family event will see a zeal of brightly coloured and uniquely designed Grevy’s zebra sculptures stampeding the streets of Southampton for ten weeks from Saturday, July 16.
Kirstie Mathieson, from Marwell’s Zany Zebras, added: “More than 250,000 visitors and residents enjoyed our hugely successful Go! Rhinos event, where a herd of rhino sculptures filled the streets and parks of Southampton with a riot of colour. Our Marwell’s Zany Zebras event promises to be even bigger and better!”
The large, decorated zebra sculptures will be sold at auction after the event to raise money for Marwell’s conservation work with endangered Grevy’s zebras, among other wildlife and other communities.
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