The Big Hoot 2024
Get ready for Chichester and Arundel’s first large scale outdoor art trail! Chestnut Tree House is working with Wild in Art to bring this fantastic free art trail to Chichester and Arundel in summer 2024.
Our owls will be swooping into public green spaces, Chichester high street and harbour, and Arundel’s historic town centre during the summer holidays, providing a fun day out for the entire family.
The collection of about 30 owl sculptures will form a free, fun, family-friendly trail of discovery for people of all ages to explore and enjoy. Creating a wonderful reason to come together as a community.
Get involved
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity for businesses, the creative sector and communities to come together to create something special. There are many exciting ways to benefit from creative collaborations with your sponsorship support.
An owl-pportunity for local businesses!
A feel-good campaign we can all be proud of, The Big Hoot will connect residents, visitors, and local businesses, and raise vital funds for local charity, Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your business involved in a unique opportunity. You could be sponsoring your very own owl and get your brand in front of thousands of people.
An owl-pportunity you won’t want to miss!
Sponsors
Get owl the latest news!
Sign up to get the latest Big Hoot and Chestnut Tree House news directly into your inbox. Be the first to know about the exciting goings-on, and get exclusive updates. Please read our Privacy Policy for details about how we process personal data; how to exercise your privacy rights and how to opt out of email marketing.
The Owls will raise funds at Auction
The legacy of The Big Hoot continues as in September 2024, the sculptures will take centre stage at a glittering auction to raise vital funds for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.
Find out more
About Chestnut Tree House
Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire, providing specialist care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.
With your support, we can help children live as full a life as possible, no matter what their condition – enabling them to access all the everyday activities that children enjoy, like splashing about in a swimming pool or hunting for bugs (or owls!) in the woods.
Charity
A Wild in Art Event
Wild in Art is the leading producer of spectacular public art events which enrich, entertain, inform and connect communities – giving people of all ages a voice through art.
Find out more
chestnutowls
16 137
A Wild in Art event brought to Chichester and Arundel in 2024 by Chestnut Tree House children's hospice 💛
#ChestnutOwls
chestnutowls
Nov 23
Meet our principal sponsor – Rubix VT 🥳🦉
With more than 20 years of experience in telecoms services, Brighton-based business owner Nick Poyner knows a thing or two about making connections.
After visiting Chestnut Tree House children's hospice near Arundel, Nick was eager to join as our headline sponsor, to support the children, young people and their families in a fun and creative way. Over the past three years, they've given away over £110,000 to charitable causes. So for their 10th anniversary, they wanted to get involved in something quite special – and they found it in The Big Hoot 2024 Chichester and Arundel.
Nick also hopes to forge new relationships throughout the trail and to engage the Rubix VT team with the Chichester and Arundel communities so they can feel the pride and sense of achievement of contributing to positive change – not just coming to work.
Learn more about @rubix.vt, Nick, and the team on our website: https://thebighoot.co.uk/news/meet-our-principal-partner-rubix-vt
Hashtags: #TheBigHoot2024 #WildInArt #Chichester #Arundel #ChestnutTreeHouse …
chestnutowls
Nov 14
Chichester Free School have joined The Big Hoot’s Little Hoot Learning Programme as our School Champion! 💜
As part of the trail, schools will engage with The Little Hoot, a learner programme which will see them fundraise and decorate their own miniature owl statues.
Rob Angell is Assistant Principal of Chichester Free School (CFS), who were the first to sign up. “This is such a fantastic opportunity to get involved with the charity and our local community,” he says. “It will inspire our young people to feel more connected to their environment, learn more about their local community and understand the needs of the people within it.”
CFS is an all-through school, with learners aged four to 16. The school’s values, “nurture, challenge and inspire,” are exemplified through this project.
Read more about how Chichester Free School became our School Champion and how you can get involved too-hoo: https://thebighoot.co.uk/news/schools-flock-to-join-the-big-hoot/ …
chestnutowls
Nov 7
Girlguiding Sussex West have joined The Big Hoot’s Little Hoot Learning Programme! 💜
Sussex West (@girlguidingswe) has 180 units with about 2,500 girls and 700 volunteers and members range in age from four all the way through to adulthood.
To ensure every member in the county has the opportunity to get involved, Girlguiding leaders will be using the Little Hoot resources and educational framework to launch a county challenge. Girls will be encouraged to raise a minimum of £50 per unit, in whatever way they please. And, of course, in true guiding tradition there will be a Girlguiding Sussex West ‘Little Hoot’ challenge badge.
Read more about this exciting news and you can get involved by visiting our website: thebighoot.co.uk
Hashtags: #girlguidinguk #girlguiding #girlguidingsouthwestengland #girlguidingsouthwest #thebighoot #thebighoot2024 #wildinart #thebighootslittlehoot #learningprogramme …
chestnutowls
Nov 3
Local artist, Phoebe Kirk, messaged recently asking if she could share her submission for The Big Hoot 2024.
"Of course!", I hooted. But why stop there? We thought we should share it too-hoo 🦉
Phoebe Kirk is a surface pattern designer who uses fine art painting techniques to create bold and colourful works that focus on nature and botanicals. Her preferred mediums are gouache and watercolours which lend her work a highly personal and painterly feel that gives her patterns a timeless quality. Phoebe takes her inspiration from her garden and the stunning views around the Sussex Downs where she lives.
You can see all her artistic creations on her Instagram: @phoebe_kirk
If you're feeling inspired by Phoebe's beautiful design, fly over to our website and learn more about getting involved as an artist: thebighoot.co.uk/artists
Hashtags: #thebighoot #thebighoot2024 #chichester #Arundel #Hoot #chestnuttreehousechildrenshospice #artist #wildinart #artistsubmission #letsgetcreative @chichester_bid @arundeltowncouncil @wildinart …
chestnutowls
Oct 30
Stuart Upperton has been part of Chestnut Tree House since before they opened in 2003. In fact, he is woven into the fabric of the place, because his paintings and murals are one of the first things people notice when they enter the hospice.
His whimsical artwork ranges in subject from underwater scenes to Marvel superheroes. Most recently, he painted a beautiful woodland scene which decorates the Stars bereavement suite.
Stuart was the first choice to paint Chester, the mascot for The Big Hoot Chichester and Arundel 2024, and from one owl to another – it’s a thing of beauty!
Feeling inspired by Stuart’s beautiful brushstrokes? Why not fly on over to our website and submit your own artwork for a sculpture! Or sign up your school for our learning programme, or get your business involved in the art trail by sponsoring an owl 🦉
Get involved with all The Big Hoot 2024 fun at: thebighoot.co.uk …
chestnutowls
Oct 9
Your art submissions are incredible 🤩
Thank you to everyone who has sent in an owl design so far. They are so beautiful and creative! 🦉
If you need a bit of inspiration, take a look at Judith Berrilll's owl-mazing initial design for Minerva.
You can learn more about Judith's design on our website: thebighoot.co.uk/news/our-hero-owl/
Or head straight to our artist page to get started on your submission: thebighoot.co.uk/artists/ …
chestnutowls
Oct 4
It's World Animal Day 🥳
All animals make the world a better place. The Big Hoot Chichester and Arundel 2024 art trail wouldn't be possible without the beautiful owl!
So, keep being kind to all the lovely creatures you meet. Wave at a weasel. Compliment a chinchilla. Tip your hat to a hedgehog. They're owl special 🦉
#WorldAnimalDay …
chestnutowls
Sep 27
Brushes at the ready: Artist submissions are open! 🎨🖌
We’re on the lookout for artists of all styles and specialisms to get involved, and open to established and emerging artists alike.
Each artist who gets chosen will be paid £1,000
You’ll be part of a large outdoor event during the summer holidays – getting your art in front of thousands of people!
No restriction on the type of design, we’ll be accepting all different disciplines – from fine art and illustration to graffiti!
Swoop on over to our website to get started: thebighoot.co.uk/artists/
Hashtags: #artist #thebighoot #thebighoot2024 #thebighootchichesterandarundel #chichester #chichesterlife #chichesterbusinesses #chichesterfestivaltheatre #arundel #arundelfestival #arundelwestsussex #painting🎨 …
chestnutowls
Sep 22
The Big Hoot's Little Hoot Learning Programme Toolkit 👩🏫🦉
Schools that join The Little Hoot will receive a free activity pack, filled with fundraising hints and tips.
They also get exclusive access to downloadable resources on our website – the first step on the Little Hoot journey. It has all the information needed to start planning the artistic adventure with your very own owlet.
The toolkit will be available at the end of our early bird special (30 September 2023)!
To find out more information, glide majestically to: www.thebighoot.co.uk/schools …
chestnutowls
Aug 29
When Chichester Free School first heard about The Big Hoot, they were at the front of the line to get involved! 🦉
With the school's mission to develop a sense of community cohesion; engage in a diverse range of activities; and show compassion to each other, The Big Hoot is their opportunity to showcase this to their community.
Having one of their four houses, Noctua, which is Latin for owl, sealed the deal!
Assistant Principal, Rob Angell, had this to say:
“All of us at Chichester Free School are very excited to be involved in The Big Hoot 2024. We see it as a vehicle to further engage with our local community, schools and businesses in colourful ways to enthuse our pupils, parents and staff in the world of creative art.
"The yearlong fundraiser to include design competitions to produce our owl, will draw from all areas of the school but will also help towards Artsmark accreditation and Gatsby Benchmark.
"It will be a 'Big Hoot' to work closely with Chestnut Tree House and other schools throughout next year.”
Hashtags: #chichesterfreeschool #chichester #chichesterevents #thebighoot #thebighoot2024 #thebighootslittlehoot #wildinart #ArtTrail …
chestnutowls
Aug 23
We're on the lookout for businesses and organisations that want to get involved in The Big Hoot art trail in 2024.
If you know of anyone wanting to tap into a huge new audience while supporting children's hospice care, let them know of this incredible owl-pportunity! 🦉
Swoop over to our website to learn more: thebighoot.co.uk/sponsors/ …
chestnutowls
Aug 18
Don't miss out on the big unveiling of Minerva today in Arundel 🦉
It's taking place at the town square at 4:30pm! See twit-ta-youu there!
Hashtags: #Arundel #ArundelFestival #ArundelFestival2023 #ArundelFestivalOfTheArts #ArundelFestivalOfTheArts2023 #TheBigHoot #TheBigHoot2024 …
chestnutowls
Aug 15
Meet Minerva this Friday at the Arundel Festival of the Arts 🤩🦉
Our beautiful owl statue, Minerva, will be unveiled at the opening of the festival this Friday at 4:30pm. Find a comfortable place to perch at the town square and watch the procession move down the high street for the grand unveiling by the Mayor of Arundel.
Then enjoy all of the music, singing and festivities that will ensue! Or even better, get a head start on the trail with a Minerva selfie 🤳
Hashtags: #Arundel #ArundelFestival #ArundelFestival2023 #ArundelFestivalOfTheArts #ArundelFestivalOfTheArts2023 #TheBigHoot #TheBigHoot2024 …
chestnutowls
Aug 4
Happy World Owl Day 🎊 We hope yours is a Big Hoot!
Hashtags: #TheBigHoot #TheBigHoot2024 #OwlDay #WorldOwlDay #WorldOwlDay2023 #Hoot …
chestnutowls
Jun 29
The Big Hoot's Little Hoot Learning Programme is now open!
We're on the lookout for schools, nurseries, colleges and youth groups to get involved with The Big Hoot.
Want to learn more? Swoop on over to: thebighoot.co.uk/schools
Hashtags: #thebighoot #thebighootchichesterandarundel #thebighootslittlehoot #learning #learningprogramme #education #chestnuttreehouse #chestnuttreehousechildrenshospice #childrenshospice …
chestnutowls
May 24
Hi! Nice to meet you 😊
Welcome to our brand-new Instagram where we will be talking about all things The Big Hoot Chichester & Arundel.
Tonight, we met up with friends, supporters, school leaders, and local businesses from across Sussex to reveal Minerva the Owl and our big plans for 2024!
Minerva is the first of soon to be many beautifully designed owl statues that will be flocking to Chichester and Arundel next year for our very first @wildinart art trail brought to you by @chestnuttreehouse children’s hospice.
Soon we will be calling for all you talented artists to submit your designs with the lucky winners commissioned to paint their own unique statues that will feature on the trail.
We’ll be meeting with schools, libraries and education centres that want to join The Big Hoot’s Little Hoot Learning & Community Programme.
And we’ll be looking for sponsors for all the incredible sculptures that you create.
That’s on top of all the fun competitions, games, interactive displays, and much more we have in store.
Please follow our page and let’s make this the biggest and best public art trail this country has ever seen!
It’s going to be a BIG hoot 🦉
Hashtags: #TheBigHoot #TheBigHoot2024 #TheBigHootChichester&Arundel #ChichesterBiD #Chichester #Arundel #ChestnutTreeHouse #ArtTrail #Owl …