Robin Hood – local legend and master of disguise – will bring merriment to the streets of Nottingham next summer through a unique world-class sculpture trail.

Scores of quirky Robin Hood sculptures will take pride of place in the city from July to September 2018, creating an eye-catching trail through the city centre and neighbourhoods.

The trail will bring together businesses, professional artists, schools and the community and will boost the economic, social and cultural life of the city.  Ultimately, it will also raise awareness and funds for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

The trail event is called Hoodwinked: a twist on the tale –  a modern-day take on the traditional stories of our mischievous outlaw outwitting the Sheriff of Nottingham with skills of camouflage and cunning. Hoodwinked will see Robin trying to outwit the Sheriff again.  Robin Hood will be everywhere . . . . . and apparently nowhere.  The Robin Hoods will all be in plain sight but masquerading in coats of many colours.  Will the Sheriff spot him . . . . . or will he be Hoodwinked?  It’ll be a citywide game of hide and seek.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said:  “Hoodwinked will be unmissable – a celebration of our iconic outlaw as we’ve never seen him before.   Anticipation is already building, with businesses snapping up opportunities to be part of this unique citywide festival of fun.  I can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of people exploring our city and meeting the tourists who are enticed to join in.”

Hoodwinked is led by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Wild in Art, a leading creative producer of spectacular free public art events through the creation of uniquely-painted sculptures.

Since 2008 Wild in Art events have:

  • Attracted more than 7million additional visitors to host cities and towns in Africa, Australia, Brazil and the UK
  • Contributed more than £1.2million to local creative communities
  • Enabled more than £10million to be raised for charitable causes
  • Engaged more than 100,000 young people in creative programmes.

Sally-Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild in Art, said: “We are so excited to be working with Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Hospice to bring art to the streets and public spaces of the city in summer 2018. Hoodwinked will see artists, young people and communities come together with businesses to showcase the area’s creativity, its heritage and spirit of fun.  We hope the city’s industries and businesses together with its cultural providers recognise the great benefits of getting involved as well as the positives for the local community and the hospice.”

Nottingham BID has already pledged its support.  Jeff Allen, Chair of the Nottingham BID, said: “We are delighted to be the main sponsor of Hoodwinked.  Each year, one of our activities is a project to add interest to Nottingham’s urban landscape in order to enhance its appearance and attract more people to the city centre.   Given that Robin Hood is such an iconic symbol of Nottingham and a major attraction for tourists, we decided to work in partnership with Nottingham City Council to support this project for 2018.”

The Creative Quarter Company is also a key supporter of Hoodwinked. Its Chair, Craig Chettle, said: “It will be a fantastic showcase for local artists and creatives to feature their work on the streets of the city centre, boosting Nottingham’s reputation as a home for creative industries, and benefitting retail and leisure businesses through the increased numbers of visitors to the trail.”

Individual businesses are being encouraged to sign up to sponsor a sculpture in celebration of our local legend and inspire their customers and employees to enjoy Nottingham’s creativity.  There are also opportunities to support schools to join in with Hoodwinked through their own creative projects.  More information is available from Caroline Elmhirst or Julie Walker at hoodwinked@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or on 0115 8764984/5.

Hoodwinked’s finale will be a charity auction of all the sculptures in October 2018 to benefit Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Chief Executive Rowena Naylor-Morrell said:  “Nottinghamshire Hospice is delighted to be partnering Nottingham City Council and Wild in Art in delivering Hoodwinked across the city centre and in the hearts of our communities.  We believe the smiles, curiosity and mischief the trail will bring will make summer 2018 sensational.

“Together with sponsors, artists and those who ultimately purchase the sculptures, we want to create a legacy for all those who will benefit from this precious investment in our city and our people. We are thrilled that, as well as the chance to raise some much needed funds, part of that legacy here at the hospice will be the opportunity to continue to share the stories of the vital support that we provide to communities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, enabling us to touch the lives of those families who don’t yet know how our services could support them in their darkest days.”