Abbey College Cambridge Joins Cambridge Standing Tall Giraffe Trail
21st March 24
The Abbey College Cambridge Art Department is thrilled to announce its participation in the Cambridge Standing Tall Giraffe Trail, launching today. The city centre of Cambridge is now home to a captivating herd of 31 gigantic giraffe sculptures, forming an awe-inspiring free art trail. Alongside these towering sculptures are mini giraffes, creatively adorned by the local community.
From March 21 to June 2, the towering trail invites visitors to admire spectacular artwork and explore new locales while supporting Break, a charity dedicated to enhancing the lives and prospects of young care leavers in Cambridgeshire. Break, active across East Anglia, advocates for a bright future for every child, regardless of their circumstances.
Last summer, Abbey College Cambridge was approached by the local organization Culture Alliance Française to assist in decorating their Mini G. Taking delivery of the giraffe in October, talented Year 13 A-level Art Students Lina and Xiaohan Aimee, with the assistance of Serena and Giulia , dedicated themselves to transforming the plain white giraffe into a masterpiece. Embracing the French theme of Culture Alliance Française, they adorned the giraffe with croissants and bestowed upon it the name Gaston. This transformative process, lasting a few months, exemplifies their commitment to leveraging their artistic talents for charitable causes and vulnerable individuals.
Serena O’Connor, Head of Art, expressed her delight at the collaboration: “We were thrilled to collaborate with Alliance Française and participate in the Standing Tall initiative which is such an important charity. Lina and Aimee, with the support of the Art Department, have poured their hearts into ensuring that Gaston represents both Culture Alliance Française and Abbey College Cambridge. We are immensely proud of their achievement.”
Gaston can be found in the Grand Arcade Shopping Centre in the city centre, and the Art Department encourages staff and students to visit and support this remarkable initiative. Let us all stand tall together in support of art, charity, and community.
Further information about Standing Tall Cambridge can be found here.
