ROARING WITH PRIDE: SIXTEEN GALLERY TAKES PART IN LIONS AT LARGE
- sixteen online
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 11

LIONS AT LARGE : A COMMUNITY ART TRAIL WITH A PURPOSE
This summer, something wild is happening — and we’re thrilled to be part of it. Sixteen Gallery is proud to be joining Lions at Large, an inspiring public art trail that’s bringing colour, creativity, and community spirit to the streets of Cheltenham and Gloucester.
The Pride of Gloucestershire Trail features a collection of 32 large lion sculptures and 54 smaller lion cubs, each uniquely designed and decorated by local artists, schoolchildren, and community groups. These lions will be on display in a variety of locations — from independent shops and galleries to public spaces — creating a trail that encourages people to explore the town, engage with local art, and support a meaningful cause.
One of the lion cubs will find a home, sunbathing in the window right here at Sixteen Gallery from the 8th July. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creative talent that exists within our community, while also supporting a project that aims to make a lasting difference.

Alongside hosting a cub, at Sixteen we're super proud that member of the collective, Christina Sadler, is the creator of Zale: The sculpture standing for courage and unity in the face of cancer, the hero lion used to launch the project. Zale, which means strength of the sea, is adorned with a gold leaf mane and abstract wave pattern and draws on Christina's previous artworks created for the hospital, and uses the waves to represent the ebb and flow of life and the potential of healing. You can find out all about the meanings behind Zale, and how he was created from Christina herself, here.
More than just a celebration of public art, Lions at Large is raising funds for proposed new cancer care facilities in Cheltenham. By following the trail and visiting each of the sculptures, visitors will not only enjoy a vibrant cultural experience — including checking out Sixteen Gallery's exhibitions — but also help raise awareness for an important healthcare initiative that will benefit people across Gloucestershire.
The trail will be live from July through to September, giving people plenty of time to explore all the sculptures and discover the stories behind them. At the end of the summer, the entire pride will come together once more for a special auction event at Cheltenham Racecourse, where the lions will be sold to raise money for the new cancer centre.

We encourage everyone to take part in the trail, visit the artworks, and see the impact that collaborative community efforts can have. Whether you’re a long-time supporter of Sixteen Gallery or visiting for the first time, we welcome you to come in and meet our lion cub!
For more information on the trail and how to get involved, keep an eye on the official Lions at Large pages — and we look forward to seeing you over the summer.
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