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Durrell’s Go Wild Gorillas are going, going….nearly all gone!

Artists, businesses, schools and local groups are going wild for Durrell’s major community project to celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2019.

Go Wild Gorillas is set to take Jersey by storm this summer. Forty life-sized gorilla sculptures will form a public art trail that will captivate visitors and locals alike, by taking them on a trail of discovery around the island.

Durrell’s CEO, Dr Lesley Dickie commented on the event: "The island-wide art trail is anticipated to be the highlight of this year’s creative and cultural calendar. I have seen these events in action and they really engage the whole community, get people of all ages outside exploring nature, discovering art and enjoying time together. This is such an exciting and unique opportunity for businesses of all types to get involved."

Durrell are delighted that investment management firm, Quilter Cheviot are supporting the project as Presenting Partner. Commenting on the sponsorship, Head of International & Jersey Office, Tim Childe said: “Go Wild Gorillas is a hugely exciting project and we are delighted to be Presenting Partner for Durrell’s 60th anniversary celebrations. As wealth managers we care passionately about creating legacy for future generations and are therefore thrilled to be able to support Durrell’s mission to build a new indoor house for our Jersey based gorillas; creating conservational legacy for the local community to continue to relish in.”

To date over 30 large gorilla sculptures have been individually sponsored by a variety of local businesses who want to share in the excitement and publicity of this highly anticipated event.

Want to be involved? There is still time, but do get in touch soon as there are only a few gorillas available for sponsorship.

Go Wild Gorillas still has the exciting opportunity for an Education Partner to get involved. This exclusive package will give a sponsor the opportunity to work with schools and young people across the island as they decorate their own young gorilla sculptures. Included in this package is sponsorship of two adult gorillas plus the integration of your brand into the creative learning programme for schools. The young gorilla sculptures will then form their own indoor trail throughout the summer.

Commenting on this opportunity Dr Dickie said: “An important element of Go Wild Gorillas and indeed Durrell’s mission is education. As part of this event we are offering schools on the island their own smaller gorilla sculpture, along with a creative learning pack that ties into the curriculum. We are looking for a sponsor to support this programme. It’s a really incredible opportunity to support the island’s young people via this project that combines the worlds of art and conservation.”

Also supporting this project is Citi who have come on board as Community Partner, which will facilitate a wide range of local community groups to get involved in the project via the Creative Learning Programme.

Commenting on the project, Citi’s Vice President, Sarah Fitzgerald said: “We are proud to support Durrell as a Community Partner on this exciting project to create a vibrant and inspirational public art event that will be open to everyone, as well as generating much needed funds for a new Gorilla Enclosure. 2019 will be a special year for us both as we join up to celebrate two significant milestones - Durrell’s 60th and Citi’s 50th Anniversary on the Island.”

The Go Wild Gorillas team have been thrilled by the amazing designs that have been flooding in from both local and international artists. Sponsors are invited to an event on 31st January to select the design for their gorilla. The successful artists are then commissioned to customise each sculpture.

Thank you to all our sponsors who have already committed to supporting this project.

Quilter Cheviot (Presenting Partner) Citi (Community Partner) Bailiwick Express (Media Partner)

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