Shrewsbury Arts Trail CIC is now in its fourth year, with a mission to bring unique and high-quality contemporary art to be enjoyed by the public for free. It celebrates our vibrant arts community and boosts the reputation of our county as a vibrant and welcoming cultural destination.

Stressing the value of arts and culture to society, Shrewsbury Arts Trail coordinator Phil Langstaff (@findfocusphil ) added: “Engagement with arts and culture has been shown to improve community cohesion by bringing people together and enabling communities to feel safer and stronger, while reducing social exclusion and isolation.”

Help Keep Halima Cassell’s Sculptures at Shrewsbury Castle!

The Shrewsbury Arts Trail continues to drive visitors to Shrewsbury and this summer has brought a fabulous all-British female sculpture trail to town, alongside a raft of fabulous exhibitions, workshops and talks, set to continue until August 31st.

Organisers are now appealing to the public to help raise £6,000 to help keep the Arts Trail alive all year round - by keeping the two solid, cast iron ‘Memento Mori’ sculptures by Halima Cassell MBE on public view outside Shrewsbury Castle.

Launching the Just Giving fundraising page, Shrewsbury Arts Trail founder Jess Richards said: “Halima is one of the most exciting contemporary female sculptors in the UK and we are delighted to claim her for Shropshire! We’ve worked with her for a number of years and she’s also represented by The Soden Collection, a major supporter of the trail. Her work with its strong geometric patterns is quite simply breathtaking. With her studio down near Craven Arms, it makes sense to put her work at the centre of Shrewsbury Arts Trail going forwards.

“‘Memento Mori’ is a powerful and uplifting testament to enduring friendship and has proved very popular with visitors to the castle this summer. We now have the opportunity to keep this beautiful pair of sculptures in Shrewsbury for another 12 months.

“Keeping an annual presence for the Shrewsbury Arts Trail by having such prestigious artwork on display in our town will help build on what we have achieved over the past four years - putting a major pin in the map for the Arts in Shrewsbury. Sadly, funding for the Arts is ever more difficult to come by. We have managed to deliver the trail free of charge up until now, but we have been up against hundreds of bids this year. Disappointingly, we have not been able to get the funding we’d have liked to achieve all of our plans.

“Securing Halima’s sculptures for Shrewsbury would be a very positive start to our fundraising for next year and would continue to build our town’s reputation as a thriving hub for the Arts, but we need your help to make it happen. Please give generously if you can. Especially if you have enjoyed our free arts trails and exhibitions over the years and appreciate all we are trying to do for Shrewsbury.”

Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, said: “At Shrewsbury BID, we have long been supporters of the Arts Trail and are keen to see Halima Cassell’s remarkable sculptures remain at Shrewsbury Castle. Public art installations like this one don’t just look beautiful, they also play a vital role in removing barriers to cultural enrichment, encouraging visitors to our historic spaces, and generating a shared sense of pride in our town.”

To make a donation to help support Shrewsbury Arts trail and secure Halima Cassell’s sculptures for another 12 months, visit:

The Shrewsbury Arts Trail exhibitions continue until August 31st all across town, including the outdoor sculpture trail, the Inspirational Exhibition and Open Exhibition on this year’s theme of ‘Time’ at SM&AG, a group photography exhibition at The Hive, a stained glass festival at St Mary’s Church, workshops, lectures and much more. For the full list of exhibitions and events visit www.shrewsburyartstrail.com

More in the artist and work;

Artist: Halima Cassell MBE

Title: "Memento Mori"

Medium: Solid Cast Iron Edition: Unique

"The tear-drop shape of these sculptures holds a deep meaning for me. They're like buds about to bloom, ready to unveil the vibrant life they hold inside. Or perhaps they resemble flickering flames, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life's journey" - Halima Cassell

Artist Bio: Halima Cassell MBE is a renowned British artist celebrated for her intricate sculptural works inspired by geometric patterns and organic forms. Born in Pakistan and raised in the UK, Cassell's multicultural upbringing deeply influences her artistic practice, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Her work is collected by prestigious collections worldwide, including most recently, Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London and the Hepworth Gallery. Cassell's sculptures have garnered international acclaim for their striking beauty and profound symbolism, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the human experience.

We have only just been offered this wonderful opportunity and with the timing being what it is, we can not apply for a grant to cover this cost. Please donate to allow Shrewsbury to borrow these stunning sculptures untill Summer 2025.