And it has one element of design that’s a ‘first’
Gromit Unleashed 3 sculpture ‘Poppy’ is inspired by the character of the same name in the Trolls films, and has been designed by DreamWorks Animations(Image: Gromit Unleashed 3)
Hollywood stars Dreamworks have been revelaed as the team behind the lates addition to Gromit Unleashed in Bristol.
Working in collaboration with Bristol Children’s Hospital’s charity and The Grand Appeal, the California animation studio behind smash hits including Shrek, How to Train your Dragon and dozens more has created Poppy.
She’s described as coming fresh from her starring role in DreamWorks Animations’ hit series of Trolls films, as ‘radiating positivity and energy with her blue and green dress, flower accessories and a mop of her trademark pink fuzzy hair’ – the latter being a first for a Gromit Unleashed sculpture.
During the trail, Poppy will be sponsored by – and located at – Puxton Park, where she’s sure to turn heads.
This latest creation from DreamWorks and The Grand Appeal joins the role call of artists, film studios, directors, celebrities and local artists who have designed some of this year’s sculptures.
It comes following the recent sneak peeks of sculptures inspired by Netflix’s Wednesday and Roald Dahl’s classic tale of The BFG.
With the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail following the theme of film, cinema, stories and fables, organisers have promised some huge names are to be behind even more of this year’s designs – more big announcements are set to come next week ahead of the big launch.
Completing the latest in the line-up so far is Ringmaster (right).
“Roll up, roll up. Welcome to the Greatest Dog Show on Earth! Ringmaster, with a flair worthy of P.T. Barnum himself, is decked out in a tailcoat and perfectly balanced top hat. Let this show-stopping pup entertain you with all the thrills and spills of the circus! Created by Tozer Signs and with thanks to the Hitchings and Milner family, our very own Ringmaster has show-stopping charm and circus-sized confidence, ready to take up residence outside Bristol Children’s Hospital this summer.”
(Pictured: Freddie Hine-Haycock)(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
The trail is this year celebrating its 30-year collaboration with Aardman Animation, which is based in Bristol, and will feature more than 50 unique interpretations of Wallace, Gromit, Feathers McGraw and Norbot, following the most recent film, Vengeance Most Fowl.
Since the first trail in 2013, Gromit Unleashed alone has generated more than £20 million for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and Cots for Tots, the dedicated charity for the Neonatal Intensive Care Ward at St Michael’s Hospital.
What started as a one-off sculpture trail more than a decade ago has now evolved into an iconic and much-loved brand, spanning collectable figurines and giftware, a major online and in-store retail outlet at The Mall Cribbs Causeway, and multiple trails, exhibitions, events, auctions, and activities worldwide.
You can find out more about this summer’s trail, including locations and more sneak peeks of sculptures, in our handy guide here.
For intrepid sculpture hunters, a dedicated app and printed map will make it easier than ever for residents, visitors, and families to explore the trail. App users will be able to track their progress, discover fun facts about each sculpture, and unlock rewards on the go.
In October, all sculptures that have been part of this year’s trail will go up for auction to raise money for The Grand Appeal and the hospitals in Bristol the charity helps.