CowParade is the world’s largest and foremost public art event. The exhibition features life-sized fiberglass cows – designed and painted by local artists – that are placed on display in public spaces. The event has been held in more than 50 cities on six continents and has been seen by more than 100 million people. From its start in Chicago in 1999, CowParade has evolved in size, creativity and quality with exhibitions in cities such as New York, Paris, Mexico City and Buenos Aires.
CowParade unites the entire community with participation from the business, arts and philanthropic communities, government and the general public. CowParade has raised more than $25 million for charities worldwide through live and online cow auctions at the end of each city’s exhibition.
CowParade San Diego will begin in January 2009 and conclude its public exhibition at the end of March. The exhibition will celebrate San Diego’s artistic talent with contributions from all segments of the arts community – painters, sculptors, craftsmen, multi-media artists and other creative individuals who are urged to apply.
The public exhibition is expected to be widespread from Oceanside at the north, to the Mexican border on the south and from the Pacific coastline to East County. It is anticipated that more than 200 cow sculptures will dot the region’s landscape, becoming an important tourism attraction and weekend outing for local families. It is estimated that the post-exhibition auctions will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for San Diego charities Rady Children’s Hospital, the Zoological Society of San Diego and the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.