You can now get your hands on nine iconic Beverley Herd sculptures – here’s how
Special hand-painted cows will be sold at a silent auction later this month to raise money for the East Riding Theatre.
The Beverley Herd is a community art project consisting of nine cow sculptures which, when completed, were scattered throughout Beverley’s shops and landmarks. Each piece is now for sale online and a silent auction event will take place on June 24th at the East Riding Theater (ERT).
The Cows are a collection of hand-painted statues created alongside the “Time Travellers’ Theater Trail” audio project. The auction will raise funds for the theatre, a non-profit charity.
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The Beverley Herd was led by East Riding Theater artist-in-residence Emma Garness and organized through the Art & ERT Facebook group. Each cow sculpture is completely unique, painted in each artist’s personal style.
The artists’ finished designs were placed in businesses in the township including H Pecks and Sons Fishmongers, Beverley Card Shop and one placed atop a wall at the East Riding Theatre. Participants of the Time Travellers’ Theater Trail were encouraged to try and spot the nine cows as they toured around Beverley.
(Picture: East Riding Theatre)
Emma Garness said: “Each of these unique cows has their own personality and I think that’s what makes them so quirky and great to have. Each has been lovingly and creatively hand painted by a local artist with her own individual inspiration from humor to Greek Mythology. I love that these quirky works of art can be displayed in your home or garden.”
The event on June 24 from 7:30 p.m. will not only be a silent auction but also a celebration of hand-painted cows. Besides Emma Garness, other artists who took part in the project were Katie Lewis, Kathy Marshall, John Knowles, John Geekie, Jo Pulling, Patricia Anne Van Busch, Emilie Brooks, Rebecca Gibson and Sue Barley.
(Picture: East Riding Theatre)
Andrew Aldis, General Manager of the East Riding Theatre, said: “The funds raised from the auction will go a little towards funding day-to-day construction costs and ensuring that the doors of the East Riding Theater remain open. As a registered charity, with no regular public funding, we rely on ticket sales and bar sales to keep us in business. The effects of Covid-19 continue to negatively impact the theatrical activity of the public, which leads to a sharp drop in income overall.
“The June 24 event will be a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the artwork and a chance for everyone to laugh – in between serious auction business!”
The highest bidder of each cow will be announced at the end of the June 24 event. Tickets for the event are at the price you prefer to pay between £1 and £5. To reserve tickets for the auction, place an online bid on one of the cows, or see current high bids, visit the East Riding Theater website here.
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