A School of Dolphins

A School of Dolphins

During the summer of 2014 Aberdeen participated in the Wild in Art Sculpture Project and set up a "Wild Dolphin" trail around the city. Fifty dolphins, each bearing a unique design created by a range of artists, appeared on the streets of Aberdeen during June to August. At the end of a very successful project they were auctioned to raise funds for the Archie Foundation and Whale and Dolphin Conservation achieving the sum of £531,000.

In addition to the main wild dolphin trail, over 30 miniature dolphin sculptures, beautifully decorated by schoolchildren from across the City and Shire were on display in the Central Library, nine community libraries and the Scottish Dolphin Centre in Moray from 23rd June to 29th August 2014. Little did we realise how popular the Library dolphin trail would prove to be. We received an additional 38,805 visitors during the trail and signed up nearly 2500 new library members.

Libraries also held dolphin themed activities in partnership with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation to educate and raise awareness of issues such as the conservation status of the dolphin. Over 220 children learnt about dolphins and joined in activities such as making origami whales and dolphin crafts and handling replicas of dolphin skulls and bones.

As a lasting reminder of our participation in the Wild Dolphin project, Libraries commissioned "Carnegie" artist Gabrielle Reith to decorate a mini dolphin for permanent display in the Central Library. She chose a design of Scottish fairy tale characters and we invited our customers and staff to suggest a name. "Fin" was selected by Lord Provost of Aberdeen, George Adam from over 80 suggestions and resides today in the Children's Department for all to enjoy.

[Donna's Dolphins artwork © Anita Inverarity]

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