SHEEP PARADE BRINGS COLOUR TO THE SURREY HILLS THIS SUMMER
The Sheep Parade is an exciting initiative led by the Surrey Hills National Landscape team, delivered in partnership with local sheep farmers. The project celebrates the vital role sheep play in shaping and maintaining the landscape, while also raising awareness of the importance of responsible dog ownership to keep dogs on leads and prevent dog attacks on livestock.
Twelve life-sized sheep sculptures will be transformed by Surrey-based artists, each uniquely designed to capture attention and spark conversation. These striking artworks will ‘parade’ across the Surrey Hills, engaging local communities and visitors alike and highlighting an issue that has a very real impact on farmers.
The sheep will be mounted on oak plinths and appear at key local events, including Denbies Dog Day in August and the Surrey Hills Wood Fair in September, as well as at carefully selected locations across the countryside, creating a trail that encourages discovery, connection, and awareness. At the end of the project the sheep will be auctioned in aid of charity
SHEEP PARADE ARTIST CALL OUT
If you would like to be involved in this project, please see below for details on how to take part. The deadline for applications is 29th May 2026 with the painting of the sheep to take place from early July to mid-August. The application form is at the bottom of this page.
This is a great opportunity to promote your work and contribute to the local community.
The Theme
The theme of the Sheep Parade is celebrating the role of sheep in the landscape, and the call to action is ‘Keep Dogs on Leads’, which will be displayed near the sheep so it doesn’t interfere with the design. Within the broad theme, interpretation is welcome.
Design for the sheep is not limited to painting – modifications and other forms of decoration will be considered as long as they don’t impact the durability of the sheep (who are going to stand outside in all weathers for a long time to come).
Collection
The models can be collected from near Dorking. They will fit in an average car but if transport is an issue for you, delivery may be possible.
THE SHEEP PARADE Timeline
- May 29th – Deadline for design applications
- June – Design selection
- 26th June – Artists notified
- Early July – sheep models available
- July and August – sheep decorated
- Late August – Sheep unveiled at Denbies Dog Day
- Approximately 7-8 weeks available for decoration
THE Technical BITS
The sheep models are made of resin over a fibreglass base. They are 107cm long × 40cm wide × 68cm tall.
Each one arrives primed in white. Acrylic paint, artificial resin paint or two-component paint can be used to paint them. If you wish to add something to the sheep please bear in mind the factors of weather durability and vandalism.
A minimum of three coats of varnish is required. This step is critical to the ultimate durability of your sheep – any which are returned unvarnished or which are incorrectly varnished may not be exhibited.
When placed in public, the sheep will be affixed to heavy bases which will include various information, including the name of the sheep and the artist’s details.
All sheep will require touch-up and cleaning prior to the closing auction. Artists are expected to be available to make these touch-ups during the weeks preceding the auction (date to be confirmed)
USEFUL INFORMATION
Those artists who submit the winning designs will receive a payment of £500 to include materials and their time
Artists should bear in mind that the audience will be broad-based and of all ages, and designs should be appropriate for public display. Designs that are religious, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted. Additionally, neither corporate logos nor advertising is allowed.
to apply, visit surreyhills.org/sheep-parade
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