Win a Big Hoot!


With the launch of the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 art trail fast approaching, fans of St Elizabeth Hospice’s Wild in Art sculpture trails are in for a treat, as the hospice has launched a raffle for entrants to be in with a chance of winning a Big Hoot sculpture.

As part of the Lucky Ticket raffle, which is open until 16th September, hospice supporters can enter to be in with a chance of winning the Big Hoot statue, ‘Nocturne’, which has been designed by Ipswich artist, Loïs Cordelia.

Featuring a design showcasing iconic sights of Ipswich at night, Nocturne was revealed to the public as part of the Welcome Back Ipswich weekend, which saw St Elizabeth Hospice and Ipswich Borough Council host the St Elizabeth Hospice Art Trail Reunion.

“As soon as I heard the statues would be owls, I thought of night time. As an artist, I am a night owl myself and find it to be the time of day when the best ideas come to me, so I knew if I was fortunate enough to be chosen to be part of the Big Hoot, that I would like my design to have links to night time,” explained Loïs, who has also designed statues for the hospice’s previous Wild in Art trails, Pigs Gone Wild 2016 and Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk 2019.

“Ipswich is my hometown and, I know people may think otherwise, but in terms of beauty, I think it is an amazing place and at night even more so. I love walking round Ipswich at night and seeing the iridescent glow from flood lit buildings, which is why I have used shimmering and metallic paints for Nocturne’s design. 

“It is a proud moment to be a part of the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022. The previous art trails were very powerful in bringing communities together in a positive way, which in a post-lockdown world, is more important than ever before.

“To have an event in Ipswich which promotes people getting outside, exploring the town, supporting local businesses, interacting with art and supporting such a vital local charity, in St Elizabeth Hospice, is a brilliant thing and I look forward to the launch later this year.”

The Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 is the third art trail brought to Ipswich by St Elizabeth Hospice in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art, following the success of Pigs Gone Wild 2016 and Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk 2019.

As part of the Big Hoot 2022, 50 ornately decorated owl sculptures will be scattered throughout Ipswich, between 19th June and 3rd September, as part of the biggest free art event in Suffolk which will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town.

Celia Joseph, community relationships fundraising manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said, “Loïs’ design for Nocturne is absolutely stunning and we were thrilled to reveal the statue to the public during the Art Trail Reunion in March.

“Over the weekend we received such great feedback from the visitors to the event, who love the design too, which is why we are delighted to be able to give the public the chance to win Nocturne in our Lucky Ticket raffle, which is also raising funds for the hospice too.”

To take part in the Lucky Ticket raffle to be in with a chance of winning the ‘Nocturne’ Hoot, visit www.luckyticket.org.uk/charity/st-elizabeth-hospice-suffolk/big-hoot-2022 

• For more information about the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 go to
www.thebighoot.co.uk.