The Red Dragon Centre has been transformed into Hollywood, or rather Holly-woof, as we welcomed our very own Snowdog, ‘Oscar’ this weekend. Tinsletown icons, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe were on hand to roll out the red carpet and give Oscar a celebrity entrance including his very own Walk of Fame star – fittingly alongside the Centre’s plush venues including ODEON cinema and Hollywood Bowl.
Oscar is part of the much hyped spectacular art trail, Snowdogs: Tails in Wales, which has been organised by children’s hospice charity Tŷ Hafan, public art producers Wild in Art and Penguin Random House and is inspired by THE SNOWMAN™ AND THE SNOWDOG, the animated sequel to Raymond Briggs’ iconic picture book and film THE SNOWMAN™.
More than 40 charming 1.5m tall sculptures have been placed at South Wales’ most iconic locations and each has their own unique design with Oscar’s suitably smart façade created by professional prop maker, Maria Shrigley.
Along with all the sponsors, The Red Dragon Centre will now take part in a 10 week-long fundraising campaign to raise money for Tŷ Hafan to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
With all pups now in place, members of the public can follow the trail by downloading the Snowdogs: Tails in Wales app or by following the map which will be available from Tŷ Hafan shops, Visit Cardiff outlets and from the Snowdogs: Tails in Wales website. Upon finding a Snowdog, avid trail-hunters will be able to unlock a reward on the app and access discounts and promotions across the region.
Alongside the star Snowdog sculptures, 57 smaller pups have been designed by local schools and community clubs, seven of which can also be found at The Red Dragon Centre. Ice-cream experts Cadwaladers and the ODEON cinema will house the pups whose designers include Ysgol Y Deri, Greenhill Special School, Malpas Park School and Christchurch College Brecon.
