Moo’ve over; a stampede is headed this way! San Luis Obispo County has been selected to host the CowParade, the world’s largest premier public art exhibit. The CowParade brings together arts, education, agriculture and tourism by sponsoring life-size acrylic cow sculptures that are painted, placed throughout the county, and then sold at auction to benefit local charities.
Over 5,000 cows – no two alike – have delighted 250 million people in over 30 countries since the Cow Parade’s inception in 1998, benefitting scores of local non-profits with $30 million. CowParade SLO is set to launch at the California Mid-State Fair, Wednesday, July 22, 2015. The CowParade SLO exhibit in the fair’s Ponderosa Pavilion will showcase two life-size, 120-pound, acrylic sculptures painted and developed by Michelle Watson, a Cuesta College art student from Harmony, California, and Carol Paulsen, a seasoned artist whose work has appeared in public spaces throughout the county. Additionally, a sculpture by Randy Gilman entitled “Daisy’s Dream” from the 2000 CowParade exhibit in New York City will be featured. “Daisy” was originally exhibited at ground level adjacent to Grand Central Station, was seen by tens of thousands of people and was the most-photographed cow in the 500-cow New York event.
The CowParade calls on sponsors, large and small, to commission artists to create original works of art on blank acrylic cow “canvases” for display around the county. Artists range from the amateur and unknown to the professional and renowned. The herd will then be unleashed to graze in various high-traffic locations around the San Luis Obispo County from January to August 2016 for tourists and locals alike to enjoy. The moving exhibit will culminate in a gala and auction, with net proceeds benefiting multiple local charities.
A variety of events are scheduled throughout the year to exhibit these works of art until they are auctioned off for charity early in Fall 2016. Various levels of sponsorship are available ranging from sponsorship of a single cow to a herd of cows. The California Milk Advisory Board and Got Milk? kicked off sponsorship this week by announcing that they will participate in CowParade SLO in a significant way.
By participating in the CowParade, the Central Coast joins a worldwide movement that has spanned 80 major cities. Through the enthusiasm of the local community, its sponsors and artists, the CowParade has garnered incredible success and notoriety. CowParade SLO ambassadors will be present at the exhibit throughout the duration of the California Mid-State Fair to provide information about sponsorships, artist and charity sign-ups, and ideas for getting involved in the movement.
To learn more about how you can get involved please visit www.cowparadeslo.com.