An Arts University Bournemouth student has been selected to design one of BH Live’s sponsored tail sculptures a part of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice ‘The Great Tail Trail’.
The Great Tail Trail will see more than 40 giant and 60 medium-sized mermaid tail sculptures located across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in a FREE eight-week event between 5 April and 1 June 2025. BH Live was announced as the Great Tail Trail’s official Community Partner earlier this year. The charity will be accommodating multiple tails at its leisure centres and venues including Bournemouth International Centre, BH Live Active Littledown, and Pelhams.
Organised by Julia’s House in partnership with Wild in Art, each sculpture will be sponsored by a local business, community group or individual to raise vital funds for Julia’s House, a Dorset and Wiltshire-based children’s hospice charity that provides clinical, practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition.
About BH Live’s chosen artist
Selected from more than 20 designs, AUB student Beck O’Hara’s community-inspired large tail sculpture will take centre stage at BH Live Active, Littledown when the trail launches next spring. As part of the event, visitors to the sculpture will be able to find out more about the region’s flagship leisure centre and collect and redeem an exclusive reward (more information coming soon).
BH Live sat down with Beck to find out more about her artistic background and inspiration for the design:
How does it feel to have your design selected by BH Live?
“Exciting! I’m glad the design resonated with BH Live’s values. It’s been great to have an opportunity to work on a large canvas. For this project, I planned my design on paper and digitally before finally painting the sculpture with emulsion paint.”
What is your artistic background?
“I’m an illustrator studying at Arts University Bournemouth. Whilst I mostly draw digitally or on paper, I have experience in portraiture and painting which has helped with this project immensely!”
What inspired you to create your design?
“I drew inspiration from my own experiences with BH Live, such as visiting their pools and enjoying great music events at Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Overall, I aimed to create a welcoming colourful design that celebrates community and activity.”
Why did you want to get involved with The Great Tail Trail?
“I was eager to be involved with this great cause to help fundraise for Julia’s House.”
What makes a great artist?
“I think there are lots of ways to be a great artist. I am inspired by artists who find a practise that works for them, which also uplifts others in the process. I also admire artists who have a strong point of view – just by looking at their work you can sense a glimpse of their personality or perspective.
BH Live Active, Littledown is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development shared;
“We were so impressed with all of the talent and skills in the design submissions from AUB students. Ultimately, Beck’s concept really resonated with us and showed a great understanding of our charitable aims, values, and the work that we do to make our communities better places to live, work, learn, visit, and play. We hope everyone loves the sculpture as much as we do – we can’t wait to unveil it at Littledown next year.”
Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House shared;
“We’re thrilled that Beck, AUB and BH Live are having this incredible and unique opportunity to work together. The Great Tail Trail is all about bringing the community together for a project that will have huge significance and benefits to local families with seriously ill children. We think everyone will really enjoy viewing Beck’s incredible design for BH Live when the trail opens to the public on 5 April next year.”
For more information about Littledown, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
For more information about Julia’s House and The Great Tail Trail, visit juliashouse.org.uk/tail-trail