Trail of the Dragons is a free sculpture trail through the streets, parks and open spaces of Wolverhampton, lasting nine weeks, from 5 July – 5 September 2027.

A Wild in Art trail, 30 large dragon sculptures will decorate the city for nine weeks, joined by 45 medium dragon sculptures created by local schools and community groups.

At the end of the trail each large sculpture will be auctioned to raise money for Compton Care – the local hospice that provides specialist palliative and bereavement support services free of charge for adults in Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas.

The dragon is a powerful symbol that reflects both Compton Care’s mission and Wolverhampton’s spirit.

Strength & resilience – supporting people through the most challenging times

Protection & care – providing comfort, dignity and reassurance

Guidance & compassion – walking alongside families every step of the way

Hope & transformation – reflecting growth, change and brighter futures

Visually striking and full of character, dragons capture attention, spark imagination and appeal to all ages – making them the perfect centrepiece for a city-wide art trail.

Trail of the Dragons is a Wild in Art event brought to the city by Compton Care.

Trail of the Dragons is supported by Presenting Partner, City of Wolverhampton Council, and City Centre Partner, Enjoy Wolverhampton.

There are a variety of partnership and sponsorship packages available to suit all budgets across different aspects and areas of the trail.

Our team would be delighted to meet you to discuss this opportunity to align your business with Trail of the Dragons. Please contact Project Manager Emily Thompson at: emilythompson@comptoncare.org.uk / 07966 184270 / email trail@comptoncare.org.uk

Businesses are now invited to get involved through a range of sponsorship opportunities, offering a unique chance to elevate brand visibility, engage employees and customers, and play a central role in a landmark cultural event for the city.

This summer, 2026, artists will be invited to submit designs, while schools and community groups can get in touch to find out more about the learning programme and how to take part – helping to ensure the trail reaches and inspires communities across Wolverhampton.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Emily Thompson at: emilythompson@comptoncare.org.uk / 07966 184270 / email trail@comptoncare.org.uk

All the large sculptures will be sponsored by different companies in the region and beyond, the smaller sculptures will be paid for by different schools or community groups in the region or, a company has kindly sponsored for them.

Wild in Art is the leading producer of spectacular public art events that entertain, enrich, inform and leave a lasting legacy. It brings together businesses and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of uniquely painted sculptures.
 
Since 2008 Wild in Art has animated cities across the world including Manchester, Sydney, Auckland, Cape Town and São Paulo, and created trails for the London 2012 Olympics, the
2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Historic Royal Palaces and Penguin Random House.
 
Wild in Art events have:

• Enabled over £30.3m to be raised for charitable causes
• Injected £5.3m into local creative communities
• Engaged over 1.5 million young people in learning programmes
• Helped millions of people of all ages to experience art in non-traditional settings

wildinart.co.uk | @wildinart | #wildinart

Integral to the main event is the Community & Education Programme, which will open to all schools and community groups in summer 2026. We invite schools, youth clubs, community groups and children’s services to get involved and share the amazing experience of Trail of the Dragons. The smaller sculptures complement and add value to the main art trail, showcasing the creativity of groups within our community. Once the trail has drawn to a close, the colourful sculptures will be returned to their creators as a permanent legacy of their involvement with Trail of the Dragons.

Visit the Schools and Community Groups page for all the information and details of how to get in touch.

Each dragon sculpture will be brought to life by a talented artist, transforming it into a unique work of art that will be displayed across Wolverhampton and beyond.

From October to December 2026, we will invite artists to submit creative designs for the sculptures, showcasing their talent and imagination.

Designs will be selected by the trail’s sponsors, creating an exciting celebration of creativity, community spirit, and local pride. The chosen designs will then be brought to life by talented artists and displayed across the city as part of the eight-week trail in summer 2027.

Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to take part, whether established professionals or those just starting out, and whether based in Wolverhampton or further afield.

Full details about the artist program can be found here and full Terms and Conditions for the Artists can be found in the Artist Pack here.

How are successful designs chosen?
The selection process takes place in two stages:
Stage 1:
All submitted designs will be reviewed and shortlisted to 100 designs. Artists whose designs are selected will be notified and invited to progress to Stage 2.

Stage 2:
Sculpture sponsors will attend a selection event, where they will choose their preferred design to be featured on their sculpture.

Artists whose designs are selected by a sponsor will be notified following the Selection Event, which will take place in February 2027.

Yes. If your design is selected and you are commissioned as an artist for Trail of the Dragons, Wolverhampton, you will receive an artist fee of £1,000.

The fee will be paid in two instalments:

• 50% in March 2027
• 50% upon return of the completed sculpture

Some artists may choose to donate all or part of their fee in support of Compton Care, the beneficiary charity of Trail of the Dragons, but this is entirely optional and not expected.

The dragon sculpture will be provided to you free of charge. Please note that artists are responsible for the cost of all materials used to create their design, with the exception of the protective varnish, which will be supplied.

A dedicated painting space in Wolverhampton may be available, offering an opportunity to engage with the public while creating your dragon. Full details of the venue and access arrangements will be provided to commissioned artists.

If you choose to paint your sculpture at an alternative location, you will be responsible for any associated collection and delivery costs, as well as ensuring appropriate insurance cover is in place.

Following the trail event, the sculptures will be auctioned at a special event in October 2027 to raise vital funds for Compton Care.

We will appeal for artists across the country to submit designs. Of the designs we receive, 30 will be selected to become the decoration you will see for our large sculptures, chosen by our sculpture sponsors.

Schools and community groups will decorate smaller sculptures, using various means to select their chosen designs; whether that be whole group projects, competitions or selected individuals.

The large sculptures are: around 6ft tall

The smaller sculptures are: around 2 and a half ft tall

The sculptures are made from a mixture of class II fire retardant laminating resin and chopped roving fiberglass over and initial brushed-on layer of gel coat.

When the sculptures leave the city streets on 5 September 2027, they go into temporary accommodation – caves?!! – where they are titivated before their next adventures.

They will then move to our Farewell Event venue. This will be your only chance to see all our sculptures in one place – before they go to their forever homes.

Each smaller sculpture will return to the schools and community groups which decorated them, as a lasting legacy of their involvement in the trail.

• After the Farewell Event, the large sculptures will be sold at auction to raise funds for Compton Care.
• Each smaller sculpture will return to the schools and community groups which decorated them, as a lasting legacy of their involvement in the trail.

Once the trail has ended, there will be a final chance to see all sculptures together at Farewell Events. Details for these events will follow nearer the time.

Yes, the large sculptures will be sold at the charity auction in October 2027. Details of the exact date will be released nearer the time.

Yes – the bidding process and all the details about the auction will be available nearer the time. We are asking those who would like to attend the event, or bid online, to register their interest via our website.

The auction will take place during October 2027 – the exact date will be announced closer to the time. Following the trail, the sculptures will be refurbished by artists, bringing each of the sculptures back to excellent condition, before they go under the hammer.

Details will be shared once finalised.

Details will be shared once finalised.

Online bidding will be available. Details will be shared once finalised.

Online bidding will be available. Details will be shared once finalised.

Details will be shared once finalised.

VAT details – Details will be shared once finalised.

Collection / delivery details – Details will be shared once finalised.

The large sculptures are:

The smaller sculptures are:

The sculptures are made from a mixture of class II fire retardant laminating resin and chopped roving fiberglass over and initial brushed-on layer of gel coat.

The sculptures will have been outside on the trail for 9 weeks. They are happy being inside or outside but may require annual maintenance to keep the paintwork/finish in good condition.

Details on plinth availability – will be shared once finalised.

Details will be shared once finalised – but the more we can raise for Compton Care, the better, so that it can continue raising vital funds for local people navigating life with a life-limiting condition and supporting their loved ones.

The money goes to Compton Care – a much-loved charity that has been providing palliative and end of life care in Wolverhampton, the Black Country, South Staffordshire and east Shropshire for 45 years. It costs around £16 million to run the charity every year, which around £12 million comes from the local community and generous supporters.

Trail of the Dragons will run from 5 July – 5 September 2027

The trail is completely free and can be enjoyed over and over again, throughout summer 2027. However, there are lots of ways you can support Compton Care throughout the trail period and beyond.

Details will be shared soon – keep an eye on the website and our Trail of the Dragons Facebook page and Instagram account.

Details will be announced soon.

Details will be announced soon.

Details will be announced soon.

Details will be announced soon.

Details will be announced soon.

Yes – Details will be announced soon.

Details will be announced soon

Details will be announced soon

Link to support page – coming soon.

Yes – Details coming soon.

Details coming soon.

Details coming soon