THE CREATOR of the latest attraction at Oxford’s annual South Park fireworks display is looking for more ideas to help him create this year’s Wickerman.
Artist Dan Barton wants young people of all ages to help him create a giant wicker sculpture to burn at the firework display, which drew more than 20,000 people last year.
So far Mr Barton has received less than 400 entries for the competition he launched two months ago.
He is hoping to get at least 1,000 designs of different wickermen that can be burned so he can transform the entries into a giant pixelated picture of a famous Hollywood star and auction it off for an Oxfordshire charity for sick children.
At 36ft high, this year’s creation is planned to be 10ft taller than the previous two years.
Mr Barton, 40, is planning to take the finished figure on a countywide tour, taking in this year’s Cornbury Festival and the Blenheim Horse Trials.
He is also seeking a sponsor to help him raise more cash for Rosy, the charity which provides respite care for seriously ill children in the county.
Mr Barton, of Fyfield Wick, near Abingdon, said: “We hope to use all the entries in a giant pixelated portrait of a famous film star.
“I want to get kids involved and families to come together around the kitchen table to have some family time together while doing a drawing.”
“It isn’t every day you get a chance to participate in something so unique.”
Youngsters are being invited to design the outer wickerman and the inner metal structure revealed when the wood burns away.
Last year a wooden ice princess burned away to reveal the Devil.
Harry Potter and All Creatures Great and Small actor Robert Hardy will be one of the competition’s judges.
Prizes are £100 for the winner and £200 for their school or organisation.
Send your entries to: Wicker Man Oxford Competition, PO Box 582, Abingdon, OX14 9FJ
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