A new public art trail, The Watchers of York, is coming to York this summer, bringing 10 large-scale sculptures to locations across the city. The free, family-friendly trail will launch on 29 June 2026 and run until 31 August 2026.
The sculptures are inspired by the stone figures, known as grotesques, that decorate the exterior of York Minster. The project aims to give these historic guardians a contemporary twist, allowing them to step off the stonework and appear throughout the city. The original concept for these figures was developed by the York Minster Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management, which used a mix of traditional stonemasonry and modern cutting technology.
The trail is being produced by Make It York in collaboration with the cathedral. The fibreglass sculptures are being manufactured by Norse Sky, a themed set builder based in North Yorkshire, following the creation of a four-foot master model. Contributors to the project include national artists, who each receive a £1,000 commission fee, as well as students from York St John University and York College, the York Mystery Plays, and various community groups.
The timing of the trail coincides with the York Mystery Plays, a historic tradition of street theatre that occurs every four years. Residents and visitors will be able to pick up trail maps at the Visit York Visitor Information Centre starting in mid-June.
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