CowParade North Carolina 2012 presented by Wells Fargo features more than 80 life-size cow sculptures, all whimsically transformed by regional artists, professional and amateur. The stylized cows are grazing in high-trafficked public places throughout greater Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh (Triangle). In addition to the Triangle, there are cows at select Wells Fargo branches in Apex, Garner, Greenville, Fayetteville, Knightdale and Wilmington.
Cows are displayed on streets, storefronts and other public places, creating a free family friendly outdoor museum of cows. The life-sized bovines are approximately 8 feet long and 5 feet high. After transformation, the artist-rendered cows are given fanciful names fitting of their designs. CowParade North Carolina titles include: “Mootalic Cow, Handy Heifer, Sir Walter Cowleigh, and North Cowlina, Udderly Amazing.” CowParade North Carolina 2012 presented by Wells Fargo is conservatively estimated to attract over 500,000 visitors to the Triangle during the three-month exhibition.
At the conclusion of the three-month public cow display, the cows will be sold at a live auction in January of 2013 to benefit N.C. Children’s Hospital at UNC Hospitals. The remaining bovines will be sold via online auction.
CowParade has become the largest, most successful public art event in the world, with exhibits held in 75 cities around the world and has been viewed by over 100,000 million people. More than 10,000 local artists in those cities have produced 5,000+ signature cows. Perhaps more impressive, CowParade has raised in excess of $30 million for its nonprofit partners in its host cities since 1999. In addition, CowParade has contributed well over $3 million dollars to artist communities around the world.