A second artist has been selected to design one of BH Live’s sponsored tail sculptures as part of Julia’s House ‘Great Tail Trail’.
The Great Tail Trail will see more than 45 giant and 40 tiny 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 registered charity and social enterprise 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 40 designs, Kelly Ma’s community-inspired medium tail sculpture will be situated at BH Live Active, Pelhams when the trail launches this spring. As part of the event, visitors to the sculpture will be able to find out more about the leisure centre and its facilities.
BH Live sat down with Kelly 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?
“I’m so thrilled to have my design sponsored by BH Live. They are an amazing charity that works hard to enrich their local communities and beyond. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for me to form part of Julia’s House’s wonderful trail.”
What is your artistic background?
“My work is often community-focused, and tends to explore playful visual connections between people, culture and cities. I enjoy capturing snippets of the local surroundings and moments we may take for granted, finding joy in the everyday.”
What inspired you to create your design?
“Inspired by the incredible care and support that Julia’s House provides for families and their children during their most difficult times, this piece acknowledges all the wonderful activities that can be experienced at their hospices. These include getting creative through music and crafts, keeping active, and providing a space to do general home activities together.”
“These activities enable families to continue to create quality memories together at a time when they need it most. The marine characters are inspired by Dorset’s local wildlife, with a nod to the South Coast.”
Why did you want to get involved with The Great Tail Trail?
“I’ve always had such a brilliant time collaborating on projects with Wild In Art. Being able to support a cause as wonderful as Julia’s House through this creative process is just the cherry on top. Plus, it’s allowed me to design some marine life, which I love to do!”
What makes a great artist?
“I think a great artist is someone who stays curious; is always looking to learn; and is genuinely passionate about what they do.”
BH Live Active, Pelhams 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 are delighted to have worked with Wild In Art, who has partnered with some incredibly talented artists, to choose our second sculpture design. We were so impressed with Kelly’s ideas – her concept is fun, colourful, and shows a great understanding of BH Live and Julia’s House’s charitable aims. We can’t wait for everyone to see the finished sculpture on the Great Tail Trail next year.”
“It’s been exciting to see Kelly’s mermaid tail design for BH Live come to life and we can’t wait for the start of the trail so we can officially unveil it alongside all the other wonderful designs,” says Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House. “It’s going to look fantastic when the sculpture is in place at Pelhams – we know it’ll be a real crowd-pleaser!”
For more information about Pelhams, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/pelhams
For more information about Julia’s House and The Great Tail Trail, visit juliashouse.org.uk/tail-trail