Cat Lovers Gear Up For Snowcats Hanover Art Trail

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Brighton’s cat lovers have been set the perfect challenge to help a local charity – almost 50 magical Snowcats will play hide ’n’ seek in Hanover this May.

The statues each have a distinct and wonderful personality, brought to life by local artists. These artists have all generously donated their time and talent to help raise much-needed cash for the popular cat rescue and re-homing charity Lost Cats Brighton.

he Snowcats, which are the same size as domestic moggies, will all be peeking out of windows, making them visible from the street. The trail will remain in place throughout May, making it an ideal outdoor activity for families during half term. There are also mystery prizes to be won if you are up to the challenge of locating each and every Snowcat.

The Snowcat trail is the brainchild of Lucy Clifford, who has combined two of her passions – cats and art – to help Lost Cats Brighton raise funds needed for the charity to find a new home. It lost its premises when founder Ron Ayres passed away this January after 17 years of good deeds.

Lucy said: “Brighton’s Snowcat Trail has been made extra special by the incredible generosity of so many local artists, with different skills, styles, and techniques. The trail is an eclectic cat walk and a fresh air art gallery that will appeal to a wide audience: from primary school children seeking out the beautiful cats, to art connoisseurs planning to bid for a unique work of art.”

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Steve Murison’s funky feline

When the trail is over, the Snowcats will be looking for a fur-ever home at an auction in June. All proceeds from the auction will go towards helping Lost Cats Brighton rescue and look after abandoned, unwanted and homeless cats, with the ultimate aim of rehoming them.  

The charity also plays an invaluable role in the community, reuniting dozens of lost cats every month with their relieved and delighted owners via social media. Whilst looking for new premises, the charity continues to provide short-term care for cats through a network of trusted foster-carers.

Sue Burt, a volunteer with the charity, said: “This is such a wonderful idea and I’m really looking forward to seeing all of the Snowcats. As a volunteer at Lost Cats Brighton, I’m so grateful to Lucy and her team for organising the event, and to all of the amazing artists for making it possible. Their support is greatly appreciated as we move forward and continue the legacy left by Ron.”

Meet the Snowcats – and their designers!

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Brighton born and bred artist Jason McQuillen is well known around town for his street art, recently winning a competition for his work brightening up the toilet cubicles in the Wahoo bar. He also created the much-loved Snowdog which stood proudly outside Churchill Square. For the trail, Jason has produced a unique take on the ever-popular black and white cat

The team at Black Sails Tattoo Parlour have crafted some super-cool, inked-up kitties.

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Award-winning artist Katherine Griffin’s fabulous Snowcat has eyes that could melt the coldest of hearts. It pays homage to a range of classic characters, including Woodstock from Charlie Brown and Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. Katherine is well known for her street art around Brighton – you may have seen her her ‘Freddie Mercury The Bowie cat’ mural on the corner of Richmond and Windmill Street.

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Nicky Bagihole’s incredibly apt and colourful Snowcat has been created entirely from pictures of the Hanover area of Brighton. Nicky said: “My Snowcat is in honour of Hanover, a very colourful place to live. The pictures I’ve used are all by local residents and are a celebration of our community – the people, the houses and of course the matching cars. The colour matching concept immediately caught the imagination of the creative people on the hill, via Hanover Community Notice Board on Facebook. I have brought their photos together to brighten up your day and raise money for charity in the form of a calendar, and now a cat!”

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Artist Robin Hill has created a stunning work of art by pasting cutouts onto her papier mache cat. Robin said: “I love to decoupage unusual items, so when I was offered the opportunity to decorate a Snowcat I snapped it up! It’s been such fun and for a really great local cause.”

For the latest updates, follow Snowcats Brighton on Facebook. You can pick up a Snowcats trail map at various local businesses.

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