A STALYBRIDGE artist has been selected to bring her imaginative design to a major public art project.
Jessie Bond’s work Solar Bear will be seen on the streets of Kent this summer after she was one of 30 people chosen to create a life-sized bear sculpture for the Dartford Bear Hunt.
Ellenor, a hospice which covers north Kent and Bexley and supports children and adults with life-limiting conditions, has joined forces with Dartford Borough Council, Wild in Art, and Walker Books/Lupus Films.
Inspired by Michael Rosen’s classic book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, it will feature 30 large bears designed by artists alongside 50 bear cubs decorated by schools and community groups from all over the country.
And he journey to becoming part of the project came with an unexpected twist.
“At first I got a rejection email, and then the next day I got an acceptance email,” Jessie explained.
“It was very confusing but very exciting. In that moment between the two emails, I was processing that things don’t always go to plan.
“Then suddenly I realised I had to bring this whole idea to life.”
Being selected for the project soon became even more meaningful.
“Getting the email felt very personal,” she said. “When I looked into the charity further, I discovered my grandma passed away at ellenor.
“My sisters and I called her Toby Nana because she had a dog called Toby. That connection touched my heart deeply.
“My nickname is also Jessie Bear and I’m originally from Kent, so it felt like everything had come together for a reason.”
The Dartford Bear Hunt will run from July 17 until September 13 across Dartford and Bluewater. Following the event, the sculptures will be auctioned on October 1 to raise funds for ellenor.
Jessie completed much of the project at The Vale in Mossley, which generously provided workshop space after it became clear Solar Bear was simply too large to fit in her family’s living room.
Inspired by dreams, hope and possibility, Solar Bear has been designed as a sensory experience that can be enjoyed by everyone.
“There’s tactile artwork and braille so people can feel the message as well as see it,” Jessie added. “It’s also designed to glow in the dark.
“Even at night, stars are still there and we believe in them. It’s a play on the idea of wishing upon a star and believing that your dreams can come true if you trust yourself.”
“Solar Bear is very much mixed media. I’ve used emulsion paint, spray paint and a whole lot of problem-solving.
“The process was really important. To make it glow in the dark, you have to pay attention to every stage, so I had to be patient, plan carefully and trust the process.”
Support for the project also came from now former Tameside Councillor Adrian Pearce, who is visually impaired and fluent in braille. Jessie worked with Adrian to ensure Solar Bear would be as accessible and inclusive as possible.
“It’s an interesting concept,” he said. “Because you can’t see it, this type of artwork isn’t regularly available to us.
“To be able to experience it in a tactile way is really special and something you wouldn’t normally get the chance to do.”
When the trail opens this summer, visitors will be able to see and feel Solar Bear in its natural habitat among dozens of creatively designed bears spread across the borough.
For more information about the Dartford Bear Hunt, visit www.dartfordbearhunt.co.uk.