Downtown Calgary’s colourful cows have corralled more than $1.2 million for charity.
Last week’s Internet auction brought to a close the Udderly Art project, one of the most successful public art exhibits and fund-raising initiatives seen in the city.
Proceeds from the sale of 77 life-size, moulded cows at the silent and live auctions and 22 cows in the e-auction will benefit 75 local charities.
“I am ecstatic — I knew Calgary would be generous, but this is truly amazing,” said Bonnie Laycock, herd boss of Udderly Art.
While the painted herd no longer calls downtown Calgary home, a few may reappear next spring as part of a legacy project thanks to the Calgary Downtown Association. Cow owners have been given the opportunity to pasture their bovines permanently in a Plus-15 walkway so the public can continue to enjoy them.
A total of 125 cows were sold through the project, which was volunteer driven and managed. The project offered local artists a fun medium to display their talents.
The cows formed Calgary’s largest display of street art from May to October 2000.
The project had its origins in Chicago and Zurich, where citizen groups staged similar projects in 1999 and 1998 respectively.
Web Watch:
www.udderlyart.com
