Artists are being offered the chance to transform a special type of blank canvas as Worcester gears up for its fourth major public art trail in summer 2027.

St Richard’s Hospice will bring 35 beautifully decorated Peter Rabbit™ sculptures to city streets and public places next summer, forming Peter Rabbit™ in the warrens of Worcester.  The Wild in Art event follows on from hugely successful giraffe, elephant and penguin trails in 2018, 2021 and 2024, also led by the Worcestershire-based charity.

Currently, each sculpture is plain white – but, with the help of artists from across the country, they will be transformed with dazzling designs.

By involving the local arts and culture sectors in this exciting event, St Richard’s and Wild in Art hope to create another visually stunning art trail which will raise vital funds for local hospice care and bring people into the city for days out.

“Local residents will remember the buzz that the giraffes, elephants and penguins brought with them, and we can’t wait to see everyone out exploring our wonderful city again. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for our partners and sponsors to showcase their work and part they play in Worcestershire life. Working together, we’re determined to ensure time spent in the warrens of Worcester creates lasting memories for local people and visitors alike.”

— Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager, St Richard’s Hospice

All segments of the creative community can submit designs – from established artists to those who are, yet, undiscovered.

The Peter Rabbit™ sculpture is a three-dimensional canvas and will hold a wide range of media – from graffiti to mosaic, fine art and even metalwork

Artists can enter up to three designs by filling in a submission form which is available via the warrens of Worcester website at: https://warrensofworcester.co.uk/artists/

Designs must be submitted by Friday, 8 January 2027.

Entries will be whittled down to the final selection in January, and the chosen artists will each be given a sculpture to decorate between March and May 2027. Each selected artist will be awarded a commission of £1000.

The trail will run from Monday 12 July until Sunday 5 September.

In October 2027 each large Peter Rabbit™ sculpture will be auctioned off to raise funds for the care provided by St Richard’s Hospice to patients living with an illness that cannot be cured and their loved ones.

Each large sculpture will be funded by companies and individuals from around the county.

“This is an un-bunny-lievable opportunity to help transform Worcester into a fun, free art gallery once again and have thousands of people enjoy your artistry, while raising valuable funds for a fantastic cause.”

— Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art

The fluffle of rabbits will be joined by 40 baby bunnies, crafted just as creatively by students and teachers in local schools. The smaller sculptures will be displayed within Chapel & Friary Walk shopping centres and in local businesses in the city during the eight-week trail.

Peter Rabbit™ in the warrens of Worcester is supported by Presenting Partners Chapel & Friary Walk, Connect Worcestershire, DRPG, Worcester BID and Worcestershire Ambassadors, and Media Partners the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.

The project is also supported by The World of Peter Rabbit™, which is managed by Penguin Ventures, the licensing and consumer products division of Penguin Random House Children’s UK.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities for the Warrens of Worcester, call Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager, on 01905 763963, or email smatthews@strichards.org.uk