The Beverley Herd Nine Hand-Painted Cow Statues To Be Auctioned Off

East Riding Theatre (ERT) will be auctioning off its herd of cows this month, with bids already being taken online. 

An event to celebrate the herd will take place at the theatre on June 24th, where the bidding will conclude and the winners will be announced.

The cows are a collection of hand-painted statues created alongside the ‘Time Travellers’ Theatre Trail’ project. The auction will help to raise money for the theatre, a not-for-profit charitable organisation.

The nine individual cows formed ‘The Beverley Herd’, a community project run by ERT’s artist in residence, Emma Garness.

The local artists, brought together by the Art & ERT Facebook group, hand-painted each cow statue, inspired by their own personal artistic style. Each cow is completely unique and reflective of the artist who painted it.

The artists’ finished designs were then installed in businesses around Beverley including cafes, shops, and one placed on top of a wall at ERT. Listeners of the ‘Time Travellers’ Theatre Trail’ app were encouraged to try and spot all nine cows during their tour around Beverley.

Emma Garness said;

“Each of these unique cows has its own personality and I think that’s what makes them so quirky and delightful to have around.”

“Each one has been lovingly and creatively hand-painted by a local artist with their own individual inspiration from humour to Greek mythology. I really like that these original pieces of artwork can go on display in your home or in your garden.”

Andrew Aldis, general manager of East Riding Theatre said;

“The funds raised from the auction will go a little way towards funding for the day-to-day building costs and will ensure East Riding Theatre’s doors remain open.  As a registered charity, with no regular public funding, we rely on ticket sales and sales at the bar to keep us in operation. The effects of Covid-19 continue to negatively impact the public’s theatre-going activity resulting in greatly reduced income overall.

“The event on June 24th will be a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the artwork and a chance for everyone to have a laugh – in between the serious business of bidding!”

ERT would like to thank all the artists who created these beautiful masterpieces; Lead Artist – Emma Garness, Katie Lewis, Kathy Marshall, John Knowles, John Geekie, Jo Pulling, Patricia Anne Van Busch, Emilie Brooks, Rebecca Gibson and Sue Barley.

The event invites the local community to enjoy a fun-filled evening of entertainment, with the highest bidder of each cow announced at the end of the event.  Tickets to the event are priced at the price you’d prefer to pay between £1 and £5.

To book tickets for the auction, see the current highest bids or submit your own bid please visit https://www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/beverley-herd-auction/.