Three third-year BA (Hons) Illustration students from at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) have had their designs selected by local businesses to appear on mermaid tail sculptures as part of The Great Tail Trail unveiled this month.
Lily Skip, I'Eisha Haywood and Beck O'Hara impressed the selection panel comprising representatives from LV=, AFC Bournemouth, BH Live, and trail organiser Julia's House Children's Hospice. Their original designs are now featured on three of the giant sculptures sponsored by these businesses in key locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Vincent Larkin, Course Leader on BA (Hons) Illustration, says, “Receiving and responding to a live brief from these local businesses and having their designs chosen has given Lily, I'Eisha and Beck a wonderful opportunity to put their work in an audience-facing context as part of a major public art event.
"In the process, they’ve also learnt how to work with a client and about how community art projects are commissioned and run. It's invaluable experience for them. They've all done really well and I'm incredibly impressed with their work.”
Lily Skip's design, entitled 'Bubble Buddies' reflects the green colours of leading UK life and pensions mutual insurer, LV=, who also sponsor The Great Tail Trail's learning programme for schools and youth groups.
“I'm painting an under-the-sea theme with sea creatures and divers in LV='s colours to reflect the seaside location of their sculpture,” Lily explains. “It's been really fun to do. I've not done anything like this before, so it's a great opportunity to do something a bit different. I'm really looking forward to bringing my friends and family to see my design on the trail."
Samantha Lowman, senior Brand Executive for LV= says, “It’s been really great to work with the University and its students. The level of artwork from all the students was really high but Lily’s design stood out for its representation of LV=, for its sense of community and for being something that will really catch the eye of people exploring the trail.”
Meanwhile, I'Eisha Haywood's vibrant and fruit-filled design for AFC Bournemouth is called Growing Together.
"AFC Bournemouth are known as the Cherries, so I wanted to do a design that reflected their nickname,” says I'Eisha. “This project is very different to what I am used to doing – it's really helping me to push myself and develop myself as an illustrator. It enables me get my work seen in a way I could never have imagined.”
Beck O'Hara created How do you go? – a fun and dynamic design depicting movement and community spirit to represent the various aspects of leisure operator, BH Live.
“Public art really interests me and having this project in my portfolio will demonstrate that I can work with a client and create artwork on a really big scale,” says Beck. “I've really enjoyed working at The Great Tail Trail's dedicated painting space at Castlepoint alongside other, more established artists – it's nice to be seen as an artist rather than just a student.”
“We’re really happy with Beck’s design and we can’t wait to see her finished sculpture on the trail,” says Daisy Saunders from BH Live. “It’s fun, colourful and family-friendly – really in keeping with everything BH Live represents."
Julia’s House cares for seriously ill children across Dorset and provides practical and emotional support to their families. The Great Tail Trail will enable the charity to raise vital funds for its life-changing service during uncertain financial times.
The cost of providing care has significantly risen in line with inflation and yet the charity only receives eight per cent of its funding from the Government – one of the lowest amounts for hospices in this country. The rise in employer National Insurance contributions will cost Julia’s House an additional £242,000 a year, meaning donation and public fundraising events like The Great Tail Trail are more important than ever.
“The Great Tail Trail is a project by the community, for the community,” explains Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia's House. “It brings together local businesses, artists, schools, youth groups and the general public for an event that will bring a splash of colour and fun to BCP, while benefiting the local children and families who reply on Julia’s House just to get through each day.
“It’s so exciting to see the students from AUB having this incredible and unique opportunity to work with local businesses on a project with huge significance for the community. Their sculptures are going to look brilliant on the trail and it will give these young artists a wonderful platform to showcase their work.”
The Great Tail Trail opens to the public for eight weeks from 5 April 2025. 40 unique, colourful giant mermaid tail sculptures will be on display across the BCP region alongside smaller versions painted by schools and community groups as part of the trail’s learning programme..
As Community Partner to the Great Tail Trail, BH Live will also host a Farewell Weekend, where all the sculptures can be viewed under one roof at the Bournemouth International Centre on the 14 and 15 June, before they become available to buy at auction.
