Lincolnshire charity sculpture trail artworks unveiled

19 May 2023

David McKenna & Jess LordBBC News

News image — The 'Wish You Were Here' sculpture - designed by Jem Dunn - features the Lincolnshire flag and sights from around the county

St Barnabas Hospice Jem Dunn's sculpture — The 'Wish You Were Here' sculpture - designed by Jem Dunn - features the Lincolnshire flag and sights from around the county

Dozens of heart-shaped sculptures that will form a summer art trail in Lincolnshire have been unveiled.

The HeART trail will mark the 40th anniversary of St Barnabas Hospice, a charity which supports those receiving end-of-life care.

The artworks were revealed at a special preview event on Thursday night.

They are due to go on public display in Lincoln, Louth, Grantham, Spalding, Boston, Gainsborough and Skegness from 10 June.

St Barnabas Hospice Design by Phillippa and Rachael Corcutt — Others designs represent "the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside" and the fresh produce grown in the county

The 30 sculptures were created by a host of different artists - dubbed "HeARTists" - with the theme of "being at the heart of the community".

They were revealed to guests, including sponsors, nurses and volunteers, at the Lincolnshire Showground, near Lincoln, ahead of them going on display next month.

David Chapman Preview event at Lincolnshire Showground — The sculptures were unveiled at a preview event held near Lincoln on Thursday

According to the charity's chief executive Chris Wheway, the heart-themed sculptures were a way of bringing people together to celebrate St Barnabas' 40th anniversary "and all that our beautiful county has to offer".

"The HeARTs are all absolutely beautiful," he said. "Some show off typically Lincolnshire sights, including Lincoln Cathedral, Steep Hill, Boston Stump, Tattershall Castle, and the Red Arrows.

"Others honour our stunning landscape and seaside, the seals at Donna Nook, and the many animals that make up Lincolnshire's wildlife population," he added.

St Barnabas Hospice Sculptures — The sculptures will be on public display at various locations across the county from 10 June

The charity, which provides free care to people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness across Lincolnshire, their families, friend and carers, said the trail was an opportunity "to view beautiful artworks as well as support local hospice care".