Highland Hospice launches search for HeArt Trail artists

Highland Hospice has revealed the first model sculpture for its ‘Highland HeArt Trail’ and is urging local artists to come forward with their proposed designs.

The charity invited representatives from NorPower, the trail’s headline sponsors, to showcase the first of the 25 five-foot blank sculptures.

This is the third art trail hosted by the hospice, which will run throughout the Highlands from April to August next year.

Artists, whether well-known or undiscovered, are invited to submit their proposed design through the Highland Hospice website by Monday, November 25.

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Twenty-five successful applicants will receive their HeArt to decorate between the months of January and March.

The heart-shaped sculptures will be placed in each town where there is a Highland Hospice shop, as well as several in Inverness, and other destinations as far and wide as Thurso, Fort William, Portree and Forres.

In autumn 2025, the sculptures will be showcased in a farewell display, before being auctioned off at a special charity event, where they will find their permanent homes.

Ian Duncan, NorPower’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be on board as the main headline sponsor for the Highland HeArt Trail.

“The blank sculpture looks incredible and we can’t wait to see the colourful HeArts on display next year across the Highlands and in Inverness city itself.”

Highland Hospice corporate fundraiser Karen Duff said: “Huge thanks to NorPower coming on board with us, and to all the other businesses who have also pledged support by sponsoring a HeArt.

“We are inviting artists of all abilities and experiences to submit their designs and would urge everyone to be as creative as possible. It would be great to see some designs specific to a Highland area or even created with one of our sponsors in mind.”

She added: “Acrylic paint is recommended for the sculptures, and once they are completed the hospice will lacquer each sculpture at no cost to the artist.

“Not only will the successful artist’s name, the artwork name and a description be included on the HeArt’s plinth and associated marketing materials, each artist will receive one free ticket to the final auction event.”

If you are an artist wishing to submit your very own ‘Highland HeArt’ design, go to https://highlandhospice.org/how-you-can-help/heart-trail/paint-a-heart

A number of sponsorship packages are still available to businesses who wish to sponsor an individual sculpture. To find out more email Karen Duff (k.duff@highlandhospice.org.uk) or view the sponsor pack at https://highlandhospice.org/how-you-can-help/heart-trail

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