Sale to be turned into a Zoo tomorrow in celebration of George !

The animals will come in two by two….to Sale from today.

An art project celebrating the town’s connection to George Mottershead, the founder of Chester Zoo, is the inspiration for life-size sculptures of animals to be unleashed on the streets and shops.

Lions, elephants, chimpanzees, penguins, pelicans, rhinos, alligators, hippos and giraffes will be placed in strategic spots as part of the Sale Art Zoo project.

‘We want to turn Sale into a riot of colour and sense of adventure.  We’ve had tremendous  support from the people of Sale and shops and organisations.  The animals look terrific and  we hope to inspire people to visit them. We’ve had 5,000 local children decorating the sculptures, we’ve led workshops, and we’ve had local artists, families and volunteers, helping us pull everything together,’’ says Anna Chopping, co-founder of the TwoByTwo art projects group.

The Sale Art Zoo will run from 22nd July until 11th of September 2016.

“We have set up this project to share and honour the great story of Sale-born entrepreneur George Mottershead, founder of Chester Zoo in 1931. His is an inspiring tale of a local man, a hardworking, dedicated visionary man, responsible for creating one of the best zoos in the world.

Thirty five animals will be on display, and have been “adopted’ by a number of businesses and organisations throughout Sale.

They include Serendipitea, Bean and Brush Café, One Integrated Communications Agency, VAO Waterside restaurant, Traders Outlet, Jets Estate Agents, Skipton Building Society, St Paul’s Toddler Group and Life Tots at the Life Centre, and Clean Start.

“Not many people know that Sale played an important part in the formation of Chester Zoo,” says Zoe Taylor, for TwoByTwo.

‘George Mottershead was born in Lindow Street in Sale Moor, and lived in the town for thirty years and said that Sale was the inspiration for his dreams of one day opening a zoo without bars, which he eventually did in 1931 with Chester Zoo.”

Local artist Sarah Mitch, was commissioned to complete a 12-foot “memory” giraffe, that will be on display at The Square Shopping Centre. Sarah  included old pictures of Sale in the decoration of the giraffe.

“I am thrilled to be involved in a such exciting and community based project,” said Sarah.

TwoByTwo are hoping that families and visitors will join the “safari” art trail and animal spotting will be added to the list of summertime attractions for Sale.

For more information contact TwoByTwo  http://www.twobytwohurrah.co.uk   or @twobytwosale #saleartzoo