Oxford's biggest ever public art event will take place soon and organisers are inviting local artists to decorate oxen sculptures for it.

Winning entrants will receive £1,000 and play a role in raising money for Sobell House Hospice at the July 2024 project.

There will be up to 40 oxen in the trail with sponsors including Oxford Bus Company, Oxford City Football Club and Blenheim Palace.

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Chief executive at Sobell House Hospice Charity, Amelia Foster, said: “OxTrail aims to give budding and established artists a fantastic platform to showcase their talent.

“We want to make public art accessible and boost tourism across Oxfordshire, encourage people to get active, and raise essential funds for the hospice and its services.”

Oxford Mail: Decorated ox at the Blavatnik School of government.Decorated ox at the Blavatnik School of government. (Image: Contribution)

Sponsors of each life-sized sculpture will get to choose from the submitted designs.

Although more than half of the specially designed life-sized ox sculptures have now been sponsored by companies, artists who sign up still have until December 15 to submit drawings.

Art from the trail will be on display until early September 2024 after which time the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for the hospice.

Sobell House Hospice was established in 1976 and offers support to adults with a life-limiting illness, currently caring for around 650 people across Oxfordshire at home.

More information about the upcoming event can be found on the project’s dedicated Ox Trail 2024 website.