THE SHEEP PARADE

The Sheep Parade is an exciting initiative led by the Surrey Hills National Landscape team, delivered in partnership with local sheep farmers. The project celebrates the vital role sheep play in shaping and maintaining the landscape, while also raising awareness of the importance of responsible dog ownership to keep dogs on leads and prevent dog attacks on livestock.

Twelve life-sized sheep sculptures will be transformed by Surrey-based artists, each uniquely designed to capture attention and spark conversation. These striking artworks will ‘parade’ across the Surrey Hills, engaging local communities and visitors alike, and highlighting an issue that has a very real impact on farmers.

The sheep will be mounted on oak plinths and appear at key local events, including Denbies Dog Day in August and the Surrey Hills Wood Fair in September, as well as at carefully selected locations across the countryside, creating a trail that encourages discovery, connection, and awareness. At the end of the project the sheep will be auctioned in aid of charity

ARTIST CALL OUT

If you would like to be involved in this project, please see below details on how to take part. The deadline for applications is 29th May 2026 with the painting of the sheep to take place from early July to mid-August. The application form is at the bottom of this page.

This is a great opportunity to promote your work and contribute to the local community.

The Theme

The theme of the Sheep Parade is celebrating the role of sheep in the landscape, and the call to action is ‘Keep Dogs on Leads’ which will be displayed near the sheep so it doesn’t interfere with the design.

Within the broad theme interpretation is welcome.

Design for the sheep is not limited to painting – modifications and other forms of decoration will be considered as long as they don’t impact the durability of the sheep (who are going to stand outside in all weathers for a long time to come).

Collection

The models can be collected from near Dorking. They will fit in an average car but if transport is an issue for you delivery may be possible.

Timeline

April – Artist call out

May 29th – Deadline for design applications

June – Design selection

26th June – Artists notified

Early July – sheep models available

July and August – sheep decorated

Late August – Sheep unveiled at Denbies Dog Day

Approximately 7-8 weeks available for decoration

Technical details

The sheep models are made of resin over a fibreglass base. They are 107cm long × 40cm wide × 68cm tall.

Each one arrives primed in white. Acrylic paint, artificial resin paint or two-component paint can be used to paint them. If you wish to add something to the sheep, please bear in mind the factors of weather durability, and vandalism.

A minimum of three coats of varnish is required. This step is critical to the ultimate durability of your sheep – any which are returned unvarnished or which are incorrectly varnished may not be exhibited.

When placed in public, the sheep will be affixed to heavy bases which will include various information including the name of the sheep and the artists details.

All sheep will require touch-up and cleaning prior to the closing auction. Artists are expected to be available to make these touch-ups during the weeks preceding the auction (date to be confirmed)

Financial details

Those artists who submit the winning designs will receive a payment of £500 to include materials and their time

Artists should bear in mind that the audience will be broad-based and of all ages, and designs should be appropriate for public display. Designs that are religious, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted. Additionally, neither corporate logos nor advertising is allowed.

Queries

Vicky Goode, Project Manager, Surrey Hills National Landscapes

vicky@surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk, 07940 577487

Sheep Parade Application Form

  • Please upload a 1 page PDF of your design. Other file formats will not be accepted.
    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 128 MB.
  • 📎 Here is a photo of the sheep model
  • In 100 words or less please tell us about your design
  • In 100 words or less tell us a bit about yourself and your previous works
  • By checking this box I accept the terms and conditions of the Sheep Parade project, as outlined below.

  • Completion of Work

    The Artist agrees to complete and deliver the work to the agreed site at Denbies Wine Estate by 19th August 2026.

    The cost of delivery including packaging, transport and insurance during fabrication and installation is included in the commission rate.

    Upon installation the work will become the possession of Surrey Hills National Landscape (from this point referred to as SHNL).

    The completed work must be suitably varnished and dried before delivery.

    Fees and Payments

    Surrey Hills National Landscapes agrees to pay the artist a fee of £500 which shall be paid in the following instalments:

    Stage 1: £250 upon successful selection of design and return of signed agreement

    Stage 2: £250 upon delivery of artwork

    The above fees shall include all expenses and costs incurred by the artist in designing and creating the work.

    The artist must invoice SHNL for these payments.

    Copyright and Reproduction

    Upon completion, you must sign a “Copyright Assignment” confirming your understanding that you are assigning the entire right, title and interest in your design to Surrey Hills National Landscape (SHNL).

    If your finished sheep is approved for exhibition, SHNL will retain ownership of the entire right, title and interest in your design proposal, accompanying sketches and all derivative works, including the final work completed on the sheep model.

    You will be acknowledged as the artist on the base and in appropriate publications. However, copyright, including the rights to reproduce your design, create copies, or reprint your design in publications, will be owned by SHNL.

    Termination of Agreement

    This agreement can be terminated by notice in writing in any of the following circumstances.

    By SHNL

    In the event that the Artist is in default of any obligation under this agreement, SHNL shall give written notice to the Artist specifying a reasonable time period to remedy the default. If the default is not remedied within such period, the Commissioner may terminate the Agreement by further written notice of fourteen days and the Artist shall not be entitled to receive any further fees.

    By the Artist

    The Artist may terminate the Agreement by notice in writing if SHNL is more than 30 days late in making any payment after the same shall have been formally demanded by the Artist, or SHNL is in default of any of its obligations under this Agreement, provided that in the latter case SHNL is first allowed a reasonable period to remedy the default. The Artist shall be entitled to retain payment for all work done until receipt of the termination notice.

    If this Agreement is terminated under the above provisions, the Artist shall retain ownership and copyright in the Work and shall have the sole right to complete, exhibit and sell the Work.

    Insurance

    The Artist warrants and undertakes that they shall maintain with reputable insurers: public liability insurance cover in an amount of not less than £5,000,000 (five million pounds) in respect of each incident or series of connected incidents occurring before or during completion of the Work.

    After completion of the Work, public liability shall pass to SHNL.

    The Artist agrees to produce, at SHNL’s request, a copy of the aforementioned insurance policies.

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