Wild in Art NZ

19/05/2026

From Manchester to New Zealand, our bees are going global! 🐝

First created for Bee in the City Manchester in 2018, our bee sculpture is making its New Zealand debut in Wellington this September.

The hive has landed on Wellington's shores and artists are getting their brushes ready to bring the sculptures to life for the city's first Wild in Art public art trail.

Bee in the City Wellington launches on 14 September 2026.

10/04/2026

Ōtautahi Christchurch’s newest Wild in Art trail is calling all creatives 🧑‍🎨

The Big Sheep Trail will bring a flock of uniquely decorated Shaun the Sheep sculptures to locations across the city, forming a fun, free art trail for ten weeks starting mid-January 2027.

Artists are invited to submit designs for a chance to transform these sculptures and be part of a vibrant community project supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Christchurch.

Learn more and apply: https://thebigsheeptrail.nz/artists

The Big Sheep Trail - Ōtautahi Christchurch | Wild in Art | Shaun the Sheep

🎨Don't be sheepish, show us what you've got!

Artist submissions are now open for the Big Sheep Trail. We’re on the lookout for bold, creative designs to bring our Big Shauns to life. Whether your style leans into traditional, street, illustrative, craft, tattoo-inspired or something completely unexpected, we want to see it. This is your chance to transform Christchurch into a vibrant, open-air gallery by creating a ewe-nique piece of art that will be seen, shared, and celebrated by thousands.

🖍🖌Unleash your creativity and be part of something where art meets heart, with every sculpture helping to support life-changing mentoring for local tamariki and rangatahi. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly ewe-nique.

👩‍🎨👨‍🎨If you've got a big idea for Shaun, we’re ready to see it... download the Artist Information & Submission pack here: thebigsheeptrail.nz/artists/

24/02/2026

Can you believe it’s been five years since the Pop Up Penguins auction? 🐧

What an unforgettable night it was! Together, we raised over $1 million, and every penguin found a new home. 75% of the proceeds went to local charity Cholmondeley Children’s Centre who continue to deliver their vital services to whānau.

So... who's ready for a new Wild in Art trail in Christchurch? We've got some exciting news coming soon 👀

22/01/2026

Wellington's newest public art experience, Bee in the City Wellington, is inviting creatives to submit artwork proposals for the bee sculptures 🐝

Whether you are an established artist or emerging talent, submissions are welcome from New Zealand's artists of all cultural backgrounds, artistic traditions and lived experiences.

The art trail is set to transform the streets of Wellington for eight weeks in Spring 2026 and your design could be enjoyed by thousands of locals and visitors alike, all while raising awareness and vital funds for Life Flight.

Register your interest via website to receive full open call details and a submission pack 👉 beeinthecity.org.nz/artists

Entries close on February 14th.

21/11/2025

We’re thrilled to share that we’re coming back to New Zealand, this time in Wellington!

🐝 Wellington is set to buzz with excitement in spring 2026 with the arrival of Bee in the City, an eight-week public art trail featuring over 30 large bee sculptures, each designed and hand-decorated by artists and sponsored by local businesses.

Building on the success of Wild in Art’s previous international trails, including Whale Tales in Auckland and Elmer’s Ōtautahi Elephant Trail in Christchurch, this vibrant new event is being brought to the capital in partnership with air ambulance charitable trust Life Flight.

The sculptures will transform the city into a colourful outdoor gallery, offering a free, easily accessible walking trail for visitors of all ages.

When the trail concludes, all the sculptures will gather together for a special farewell weekend before going to auction to help fund Life Flight’s critical air ambulance missions, helping to save lives across New Zealand.

Join the hive! 🐝 Sponsors, artists, schools and community groups are invited to get involved. Find out more at: https://beeinthecity.org.nz/

30/07/2024

Reminiscing about when the penguins popped up in Christchurch 🐧💙 What's your favorite memory of the trail?

09/05/2024

We are delighted that Elmer's Ōtautahi Elephant Trail had such a positive impact in Christchurch over the summer.

It's fantastic to see that the sculpture trail had great benefits for the local economy, the health and wellbeing of its visitors and for raising awareness for Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust.

Funds raised throughout the trail and the incredible $320,000 raised at the sculpture auction will help support their specialised care and support services, making meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by brain injury.

Wild in Art | Elmer the Patchwork Elephant | Andersen Press

19/04/2024

Welcome to Wild in Art New Zealand 👋

Wild in Art is the creative producer of the spectacular sculpture art trails Pop Up Penguins, Elmer's Ōtautahi Elephant Trail, Whale Tales Auckland, Christchurch Stands Tall and The Haier Big Hoot.

On this page we will be updating you on the latest news on our future events in New Zealand. Where would you like us to visit next? 💭

https://wildinart.co.uk

13/06/2023

Super exciting announcement! There's a new trail on the horizon!



This summer, Elmer's Ōtautahi Elephant Trail will bring a colourful herd of elephants to Ōtautahi Christchurch!

This Wild in Art event comes in collaboration with Andersen Press, and the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust!

Be sure to check out the Elmer's Ōtautahi Elephant Trail page to keep up to date with the latest information on the trail. You don't want to miss it!

Elmer's Ōtautahi Elephant Trail

02/03/2021

At the Farewell Event last month, Cholmondeley were selling Pop Up Penguins themed tea towels and tote bags. They sold out on the day so they put in another order and have more to sell - yippee!

If you would like to buy these unique pieces of merchandise, you should go to www.Cholmondeley.org.nz/events/pop-up-penguins-merchandise/

All profits from the sale of the tea towels and tote bags go to Cholmondeley.