This week, we’ve welcomed 101 new resident bees to Manchester for the Bee in the City art trail. These individually designed sculptures arrived on the 22nd of July, and are here to stay until the 23rd of September, along with 131 mini bees that have been created by local school children. While the majority of the bees are buzzing around the city centre, you can also find them in Media City, Heaton Park, Didsbury and Wythenshawe.
Manchester never fails to amaze us through its individuality and vibrant atmosphere, from its industrial heritage to the fantastic music scene, it has it all! The eye-catching bees have been created by members of the community, local artists and groups of young people who have brought their creativity to life through these spectacular sculptures – each and every one representing something special.
Iconic musicians and singer/songwriters have also added to the buzz around the Bee in the City trail. International names such as Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Liam and Noel Gallagher have signed the ‘Bee Live in Manchester’ sculpture.
Sally-Ann Wilkinson from Wild in Art said: “Bee in the City is a celebration of Manchester’s diversity, creativity and culture. Each individual Bee represents our fantastic city’s many achievements, from its legendary music scene to scientific discoveries and industrial heritage.”
Three of our favourite Bees in the City
‘Bee M A D’ (Mad About Denton)
Name: Bee M A D (Mad About Denton)
Location: The People’s History Museum
School: Russell Scott Primary School
Once the centre of the world’s hatting industry, Denton is now the inspiration for one of the Little Bees. Russell Scott Primary School’s Bee encapsulates the heritage, spirit and strength of its community.
‘Queen Bee’
Name: Queen Bee
Location: The Royal Exchange Manchester (inside)
Designed and decorated by: Lee O’Brien
Liverpool art teacher and illustrator, Lee O’Brien, found inspiration for his Bee from the British Monarchy. He designed the ‘Queen Bee’ in the Tudor style of Queen Elizabeth I.
‘Bee Here Now’
Name: Bee Here Now
Location: INNSIDE Meliã Manchester
Designed and decorated by: Joseph Venning
Joseph Venning created his bee to honour luminaries from Manchester’s legendary music scene. Can you spot Oasis, Herman’s Hermits, Joy Division and Cleopatra painted on the pop art style Bee?
Plus, Venning has used black and yellow stripes in reference to both Manchester’s iconic Haçienda nightclub and the bee itself.
Bee part of the celebration
In conjunction with the bee art trail, there will be numerous events hosted throughout the city over the next 3 weeks. The Bee in the City Weekender – a mini festival that will take place this weekend (Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29) – will host numerous events across the city, along with workshops, street performers, artisan markets and cocktails and canapes at the Harvey Nichols garden bar.
Help support a great cause
Where will they go after the 23rd of September I hear you ask? Well, the Bees will be auctioned off in October to raise money for The Lord Mayor of Manchester’s We Love MCR Charity, which seeks to improve the lives and life chances for the people of Manchester.
If you’re interested in finding out more about these bees, head to the app store and download the ‘Bee in the City’ app to help you tackle the trail and gain access to special offers and rewards. The app is £1.99 and 25% of the profits will be donated to the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust.
Happy Buzzing!
All images are sourced from the Bee in the City website.
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