The Big Hoot art trail in Ipswich has now started for the summer and Ipswich School’s sponsored owl - named Zentang-Owl - is now in place outside the school at the Henley Road entrance.

The trail goes all around Ipswich, with local businesses and organisations sponsoring Big Hoot owl statues, which will be auctioned off at the end of the trail to raise money for the St Elizabeth Hospice.

The owl itself has been designed by artist Alison Mayston who has been inspired by zentangles, an art form that promotes concentration and creativity while also increasing personal well being.

Alison spoke about how it took 8 weeks to create and that she had to use a step ladder because the owl was a lot taller than her. We asked Alison how does it feel to see her owl sculpture outside of school, and she replied that she was “thankful it’s in one piece and relieved”, that it took two months Zentang-Owl revealed on Henley Road of hard work and it looked as good as she thought it would!

St Elizabeth Hospice is a charity that provides free services for people with a progressive or a life limiting illness. It supplies specialist support whenever and wherever it is needed. You can find out more about the trail online or download the Big Hoot trail app to see where the owls are.

Abby C and Maia C, Year 10