Wemyss Cat Trail expands as artists get to work on giant sized sculptures

The number of massive moggies has been increased from 12 to 17 with a host of artists hard at work creating the colourful sculptures which will be unveiled this Spring. The landmark project is backed by the Kirkcaldy Lottery, which was launched last year by the Adam Smith Global Foundation to raise funds for initiatives to improve the town centre.

Every commissioned artist works in Fife - about half have studios in Kirkcaldy - and the trail will bring visitors to town and help put the Lang Toun on the map.

The creatives include well known names such as Robert Mach and Susan McGill as well as artists securing their very first public commissions. Confirmed artists include: Abigail Cooper, Donna Forrester, Dorothy Black, Griselda Hill, Hazel Terry, Joanna Scott, Lauren Morsley, Lisa Graef, Paul McGinty, Rachel Devine, Susan Warner, Vanessa Gibson and Yolande Kenny.

Many of their designs are locally inspired, with references to linoleum, coal mining, places and even poems.

The massive cat sculptures stand about 1.7m tall and the shape was inspired by an original Wemyss Ware cat produced in Kirkcaldy around 1900 - so the entire sculpture trail is a celebration and artistic showcase for Kirkcaldy past and present.

More than 40 artists submitted bids to be part of the trail, and after a public vote and additional inputs from sponsors, the final designs were chosen. The majority of the giant undecorated fibreglass cats were delivered to the artists in January, with a final batch of five arriving last month. Some artists have already revealed little bits of their designs on social media, but the full designs will not be seen publicly until Spring.

The launch date will be announced soon and a trail map with the locations and information is being prepared ready for the big reveal.

The Wemyss Ware Cat Trail is being backed by sponsors who will also be unveiled at the launch, with the sculptures located across the Kirkcaldy area, including Burntisland, Kinghorn and Auchtertool, with a couple of little surprise locations too.

Fiona Doherty, managing director, Stagecoach South Scotland - one of the sponsors - said: “This is a fantastic celebration of Kirkcaldy’s heritage, creativity and community spirit.

“These iconic cats are synonymous with the Lang Toun, and this trail is a wonderful way to showcase local artistic talent while encouraging people to rediscover the town and the wider Fife area. The cats will become part of the local landscape. We look forward to working closely with the organisers in the weeks ahead as the cats prepare to take their place on the streets.”

Hilary Roberts, who leads the Welcome to Fife team at Fife Council added, "The Wemyss Ware Cat Trail will be a welcome boost both for residents and visitors to Kirkcaldy this year. Art trails such as this are a great way to explore the area, whilst celebrating one the area's most iconic assets.”

The last remaining six cats are open for sponsorship with the opportunity for widespread local and national publicity. A website, Facebook page and app are to be launched as part of PR, and multiple associated events are being planned.

The sculpture trail will remain in place throughout the summer and into the autumn, and there will be a series of events tied in with it, ranging from Easter egg hunts to visits by classic car tours.

All 17 sculptures will be brought together for a final public display and auction in the autumn with the proceeds used to replenish the Kirkcaldy Lottery Fund and enable even more community projects to be delivered locally.

> The first recorded reference to Wemyss Ware was in The Fife Free Press on October 2, 1882 in an article that described this new ware produced by Robert Heron’s Fife Pottery which was located in Kirkcaldy’s Gallatown.

Wemyss Ware went on to become one of the best-known Scottish ceramic wares, and was produced in Kirkcaldy until 1930. The Wemyss cats produced by the pottery were inspired by similar ceramic cats made by Emille Gallé in France, and became one of the most popular Wemyss items. Original Kirkcaldy Wemyss Ware is still sought after today with collectors including people like Elton John and King Charles III, and some pieces have been sold for tens of thousands of pounds.

The Wemyss cat was chosen for the sculpture trail since it is one of the most iconic Wemyss designs and is instantly recognisable as being from the famous Kirkcaldy pottery. A well-loved Gallé style Wemyss cat has been on display on Kirkcaldy Galleries for many decades and has become the symbol for the Friends of the Kirkcaldy Galleries.

Wemyss Ware was revived 40 years ago by the Griselda Hill Pottery in 1985 and it now owns the trademark