It’s part of a major push to bring big names from the art world to Shrewsbury this summer, to help champion the town’s creatives. 

Andrew’s large-scale, mirrored sculptures will be displayed in key locations across town from July 1 to August 31, with stunning effect – to include Shrewsbury Castle, The Dingle, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, Theatre Severn and the main atrium in the Darwin Centre. 

The giant, glittering artworks, set against our historic streetscape should bring visitors from far and wide to enjoy summer in Shrewsbury. Andrew’s most famous pieces – many of which are currently in his own museum in Berriew, mid Wales, include a four-metre high ‘Cosmic Egg’, his ‘The World of Smiles Series’ ‘Love’ and a three-metre glass sword ‘Excalibur’. 

The sculpture trail is supported by Shrewsbury BID, working closely with Arts Trail organiser Jess Richards of Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts. 

Jess said: “We’re going big this year! The sculpture trail will be really impactful – visitors will come across these sculptures all over town. We're looking to bring some of Andrew's best work out of storage into the streets of Shrewsbury to share with the public." 

Jonathan Soden, a member of the Shrewsbury BID board and owner of The Soden Collection in Wyle Cop, said the BID was happy to be involved. 

He said: “Jess has done a fantastic job to secure these pieces by Andrew Logan - they will look absolutely stunning in a town centre setting and will stop people in their tracks. 

“Public art has a huge value to the culture of a town or city. Art enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors so I am extremely happy that we have supported such a great thing for Shrewsbury. 

“Shrewsbury Arts Trail is the latest in a range of amazing events to bring the town centre to life, and I hope this is just the start of installing public art in our wonderful town.” 

Building on the success of the first Shrewsbury Arts Trail last year, the 2022 trail is supersized – on a theme of ‘Be Inspired’. 

Throughout July and August, famous works - including a recently announced Banksy print and a JMW Turner painting, discovered in the archives of Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery - will be exhibited alongside artwork by local artists, inspired by and responding to these ‘big names’. 

Organiser Jess Richards of Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts has been working hard – supported by The Soden Collection - to bring some major artists’ work to Shrewsbury.   

Jess said: "We're utterly honoured and grateful to have some private collectors lending us work for this exhibition, including an iconic Banksy 'Gangsta Rat' print loaned by local private collector Stephen Sing. 

“I explained what we were doing and cheekily asked if we could borrow it and he said yes! Getting hold of one is nigh on impossible, so this is astounding and amazing for the arts trail! 

"We also got to look through the archives at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and found an original JMW Turner early watercolour of Shrewsbury, which will also be on display. It could be an exhibition first to display Banksy and Turner together!" 

So far, works are being loaned by Artists such as Damian Hirst, Andy Warhol, LS Lowry, George Morton Clark, Andrew Logan, Banksy, Mark Payne, Antony Gormley, KAWS, Audrey Skaling, J M W Turner, Halima Cassell MBE and more. The art works will be on loan, either directly from the artists, or from private collectors and dealers. 

Local artists have been invited to submit work responding to these works (hence, ‘be inspired’) and entries will be displayed – alongside famous artworks - in a major exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery (July 9 – August 31).  

There will be further exhibitions at Theatre Severn, curated by Shrewsbury artist Ross and Amy Callaghan of Callaghans Framing and The Parade, curated by Phil Langstaff from VAN, throughout the two months. 

Other locations featured in the Shrewsbury Arts Trail 2022 include: Soden Collection, Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts, The Visual Art Network (VAN) gallery in the Darwin Shopping Centre, Bear Steps Gallery, The Market Hall, Raven Studios, The Parade, St Mary's Church and Made in Shropshire, The Hive, Number 61, and The Vision Gallery – plus cafes and restaurants across town.  

Shropshire Art Society will be displaying works in St Mary’s Church during July and August and The Unitarian Church and Shrewsbury Cathedral are also joining the trail this year. 

The Glass Festival on 6th August of local glass artists will also return to St Mary's Church this year and will include demonstrations and workshops – plus there will be guided tours around the wonderful stained glass of Shrewsbury's town centre churches. 

There will be a ‘Secret Artist Sale’ at the Soden Collection, featuring major British artists including Philip Sutton RA, Dan Baldwin and Maximillion Baccanello and others, to raise money for charities (Breast Cancer Now, The Samaritans, Trees for Shropshire and The Alzheimer’s Society). 

There will be a preview on the Friday and Saturday, followed by a ‘selling day’ on the Sunday where all A5 original artworks are on sale for £50 each. 

Jonathan Soden explains: “All the artwork is signed on the back so you will not know who you are purchasing until you have paid then you may have landed yourself a royal academician!”