Suffolk Libraries PAWS-itivity dogs to be unveiled at the Suffolk Show!

Over 40 unique and colourful dog sculptures will be officially unveiled at this year’s Suffolk Show on 31 May and 1 June.

The dogs are part of Suffolk Libraries biggest ever fundraising campaign – PAWS-itivity.

Dubbed the ‘Library Labradors’, the dogs all feature designs individually created by local artists.

The campaign is designed to spread some PAWS-itivity, colour and fun across Suffolk this summer, whilst helping to raise money to support the vital work of Suffolk Libraries.

The dogs will make their first public appearance at the Suffolk Show where they will be on display for all to see in the Suffolk Libraries marquee at stand 462.

Throughout the two days of the show, visitors will have the opportunity to ‘raise pounds with hounds’ and vote for their favourite sculpture. Anyone voting also has the chance to enter into a prize draw to win an overnight stay at their choice of Chestnut Pubs, with breakfast and dinner included.

The Suffolk Libraries marquee will also feature an events stage with a packed programme of events showcasing the vast range of activities and services available in libraries across Suffolk including Jumpstart fitness activities, Tot Rock for pre-school children and dog-themed crafts.

Guest appearances at the show will also include author and artist Marjoke Henrichs, who created the sculpture ‘Readador’ and Jason Alexander from Rubbish Walks who created ‘Pick of the Litter’ using materials he has found on litter picks.

Ziggy, a Pets as Therapy dog will also be listening to children that would like to read to her on the Thursday. Spadge Hopkins will also be in attendance who has created several of the designs including ‘Miro’s Mutt’ and a steel sculpture that will remain in situ at Haverhill Library as a permanent legacy to the campaign.

Alex Downing, Suffolk Libraries Fundraising Manager, said:

“We’re incredibly excited about unveiling our dogs at the Suffolk Show. They look fantastic and will bring some real colour to the show and to our libraries throughout the summer! and hope lots of visitors to the event will pop in and see us! We’ve got plenty of other activities on offer at our stand and just like our libraries, there’s something for everyone so we hope lots of visitors to the show will drop by and see us!”

Throughout the summer holidays each of Suffolk’s libraries will be hosting a sculpture for library users to enjoy and ultimately, auctioneers Clarke and Simpson will then auction the pack at Trinity Park on 12 October.

The main PAWS-itivity sponsors now include Suffolk Agricultural Association, Clarke & Simpson. SmartestEnergy, Clays Publishing, Larking Gowen, Wyards Removals, Adnams and Mark Bailey Photography.

The doggy designs include a number that have been individually sponsored by companies and include:

• Lois Cordelia’s Castle on the Dog features the entire Framlingham Castle sculpted on a dog’s back and Suffolk’s most famous musical megastar strumming his guitar on the dog’s paws.
• Yesterdog is a funky sculpture based on Suffolk Libraries Patron, Emma Freud’s film Yesterday and is sponsored by Smart Garden Offices
• ‘Atticus’ designed by Sharon Teague and inspired by the Anthony Horowitz Magpie Murders novels and TV series Sponsored by Woodbridge School which features in the Magpie Murders story.
• Megan Johnson’s Jurassic Bark, a Labrador dressed as a dinosaur – sponsored by Doodle Dales – the Pawsitive Pet People.
• Lily Hammond’s Zebrador, a tropically coloured zebra dog – Sponsored by Stokes Sauces.
• Pooch Pawfect has been created from 1940’s sheet music.
• A number of children’s book illustrators are also involved with James Mayhew creating a Dog-eared Book Dog, Sally Walker has created Charles Doggens and Marjoke Henrichs’ Readador
• Alison Calvesbert Reardon’s Hound of Love is based on the Kate Bush song and sponsored by PS Human Resources.
• La Peritta by Hannah Weeks is based on the huge dog sculpture that stands outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and is being sponsored by PolicyBee.
• The talented spray team at John Grose have also created the Golden and Chocolate Labradors.

Suffolk Libraries would also like to thank Clarke & Simpson who are running the charity auction at Trinity Park in October and Trinity Park Events who are providing the auction venue.

Suffolk Libraries is also championing several organisations who have given their support for the campaign including Rubbish Walks, Aspire Black Suffolk, Inside Out Community, National Literacy Trust, Pets As Therapy, Suffolk Pride, Realise Futures, Rock Paper Scissors, and Suffolk Mind.

The Suffolk Agricultural Association, BBC Radio Suffolk, East Anglian Daily Times and Suffolk Magazine have also all been very supportive of PAWS-itivity.