Sssh! A little birdie told us that The Stolen Seagull Scavenger Hunt (AKA The SSSH!...Seagull Project) will be touching down in Torbay this summer. A hundred seagulls, all lovingly decorated by schools, community groups and artists across the English Riviera, will fly the nest, landing in locations across the Bay, forming a community art trail.

Each of the colourful Bay-guls is completely unique and can be found by using a free to download trail map, revealing each of the secret locations. These include attractions, museums, theatres, cafes, galleries, libraries and other local businesses. Each of the birds will also have a QR code linking to the full trail map. The challenge is to see who can find the most over the summer months, whilst getting out and exploring the towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

The project has been supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, which has helped connect local artists with schools across Torbay, promoting creativity and teamwork. It has also allowed many new cultural partnerships to be formed. For example, four of the seagulls have been decorated by local artists in collaboration with the Artizan Gallery, as part of a Sea Shanty Project with the Princess Theatre. Other gulls have been decorated by the prison community at HMP Channings Wood, helping change perceptions and building positive links.

Four of our seagulls that are on display at the Princess Theatre in Torquay have been decorated by local artists in collaboration with the Artizan Gallery and the Princess Theatre as part of a Sea Shanty Project supported by Arts Council England Cultural Recovery fund. Moor to Sea Music Collective and We Need Music CIC worked with primary & secondary schools across Torbay to create and perform a unique collection of sea shanties that can be found here.

As part of the SSSH seagull project, and in collaboration with Sound Communities,we have made a film interviewing local creative professionals to find out more about their own journey into the creative industries. Links below.

https://soundcommunities.co.uk/showcase/seagull-trail/

https://vimeo.com/733213544

The project is being delivered by the Riviera Education Trust and is aimed at highlighting creative career routes with artists going into schools to inspire young children. Local Artist Anna Boland, and Gaby Lovatt from Participate Arts CIC delivered arts workshops at schools and colleges across the Bay, meaning there are some stunning birds waiting to be found.

Tonic Creatives are delighted to have been asked to put the trail together, which you can now download below.

Let's get ready for a summer of Gull Power!

Location change! Please note that Gullgan (#96) and Captain Jack Seagull (#3) have both had a change of home - instead of the Acorn Centre and Indigoes playground, they can now both be found at Bonne Vue, Higher Furzeham Road, Brixham.

Download the Trail Map