Tag: artist Helen Denerley

OMNi teams up with local school for creative milestone initiative 

Edinburgh’s OMNi Centre has teamed up with Scottish artist Helen Denerley and Edinburgh  Zoo to deliver a primary school design project in celebration of the leisure and entertainment  destination’s Dreaming Spires sculpture’s 20th anniversary this year. 

P6 students at St Mary’s RC Primary School were invited to take part in a special design project  entitled Sustainable Safari: Guardians of Tomorrow to commemorate the milestone. The Dreaming  Spires giraffes, Martha and Gilbert, took centre stage in the artwork, while the background showcased each student’s take on a world where nature and people thrive together. 

The OMNi team and Dreaming Spires Artist Helen Denerley attended St Mary’s on Friday 24 October  to judge the 52 designs. Artwork elements included trees, animals, clean energy sources, and the use  of abstract shapes and colours to show a healthy, sustainable environment. 

P6 student, Nathan Glowacki, aged 10 was crowned design project winner for their detailed  presentation of the giraffe form and the inclusion of a jumping calf. The design will be turned into an  animation for all to see on OMNi’s new digital screen on completion of the centre refurbishment.

As a  thank you, the participating students will enjoy a school trip to Edinburgh Zoo to learn about the  giraffes and the conservation efforts of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). 

Earlier this year, OMNi announced a 12-month corporate partnership with wildlife conservation charity  RZSS and adopted a resident giraffe at Edinburgh Zoo. 

Nicola Kehoe, Head Teacher of St Mary’s RC Primary School, said: “It’s been wonderful to work closely with OMNi on this exciting design project.

“The P6  students were inspired by Helen Denerley’s use of recycled materials and Edinburgh Zoo’s  conservation work – and their individual take on this was reflected in the variety of designs  created.

“The children are incredibly excited for their upcoming reward trip to Edinburgh Zoo,  including a visit to OMNi’s adopted giraffe. The project has created a great start to the new  term – combining creativity, fun, and learning for all.”

Eilidh Parker, OMNi Deputy Centre Manager, said: “We were blown away by the creative talent of the P6 students. Each and every design was  truly terrific, and we cannot wait to see the winning design come to life on OMNi’s brand new  internal digital screen as part of our centre refurbishment. 

“Special thanks to St Mary’s and our project partners Edinburgh Zoo and Helen Denerley. An  inspiring collaboration, aligning beautifully with OMNi’s evolution towards a vibrant and  welcoming destination firmly rooted into the local community.” 

The school project brings the sculpture’s 20th celebrations to a triumphant close. Earlier this year,  OMNi adorned the giraffe sculptures with tassel party hats and created online excitement during a 4- week social media prize draw. 

Over the years, Dreaming Spires sculpture has become a favoured local landmark and a meeting  point for friends, families, and visitors.

As the centre undergoes a £5 million refurbishment, Martha  and Gilbert remain a symbol of creativity, connection and community – values that are central to  OMNi’s vision for the future.

Stay tuned for exciting things to come in the new year. OMNi and its brands remains open and welcomes visitors throughout the centre refurbishment.

Visit  the OMNi website for refurbishment updates: https://omniedinburgh.co.uk/

OMNI celebrates 20 years of iconic giraffe sculpture with Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh’s OMNi Centre is marking the 20th anniversary of its beloved giraffe sculpture, Dreaming  Spires, with a line-up of colourful celebrations, including playful party hats, exciting giveaways and a  creative community initiative.  

Created in 2005 by renowned Scottish artist Helen Denerley, the towering giraffes – affectionately  named Martha and Gilbert – have become more than just a striking piece of public art.

Sculpted  entirely from scrap metal, they were designed to inspire imagination, spark conversation, and  encourage people to look ahead and think big. Over the years, they’ve also become a beloved local  landmark and a natural meeting point for friends, families, and visitors alike. 

This enduring role as a gathering place has inspired OMNi’s recent brand refresh and new  tagline: ‘Let’s Meet at OMNi’. As the centre undergoes a £5 million refurbishment, the giraffes remain  a symbol of creativity, connection and community – values that are central to OMNi’s vision for the  future. 

To kick-start the celebrations, OMNi has adorned the giraffes with colourful party hats complete with  playful tassels, just in time for the buzz of Edinburgh Fringe. A new information stand beside the  sculpture invites visitors to learn about the giraffes’ story and their place in the city’s cultural fabric. 

Eilidh Parker, OMNi Deputy Centre Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate Dreaming Spires’ 20th Anniversary during this exciting time of  transformation.

“As OMNi’s refurbishment gets underway, we’re full of anticipation and excitement for  what’s ahead. Huge thanks to our partners at Edinburgh Zoo and Helen Denerley for making this  moment memorable.

“Here’s to the next 20 years of growth, creativity and collaboration.” 

From today, 23 July, OMNi will launch a 4-week social media competition with four Vue cinema tickets,  four sets of Edinburgh Zoo tickets and giraffe plush toys up for grabs each week, courtesy of the  Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity which runs the zoo.

A  local primary school initiative in August will round off the celebrations with a design project  co-created with Helen Denerley and RZSS.

Helen Denerley, Dreaming Spires Sculptor and Scottish Artist, said: “When I was invited to tender for a sculpture at the Omni Centre, the brief was to relate to the history  of the site. I decided it would be more fun and interesting to look forward to our future and aspirations,  rather than dwelling on the past. 

“I always hoped that the giraffes would create their own history, and twenty years on I am delighted to  see how much they have been taken to heart by locals and visitors alike.” 

Continuing the momentum, OMNi has also announced a 12-month corporate partnership with the  wildlife charity to support conservation efforts at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. As part  of this collaboration, OMNi is adopting a resident giraffe at the Zoo – further cementing its commitment  to wildlife, education, and community engagement. 

Phillip Mathis, Learning Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that OMNi has committed to supporting our wildlife conservation charity  over the coming year. 

“This partnership will not only shine a light on our mission to create a world where nature is protected,  valued, and loved, but also inspire young people across Edinburgh to think creatively about how they  can help wildlife in their everyday lives, recognising the cultural importance of our sites.

“With the  exciting design project launching later this summer, we can’t wait to see the incredible ideas local  primary schools will bring to life.” 

The anniversary celebrations coincide with OMNi’s transformation into a more vibrant, welcoming  space. While the refurbishment is underway, OMNi and its brands remain open and fully accessible.  Visitors can follow progress and updates via OMNi’s website and social media channels. 

OMNi is open 6am – 1am, Monday to Sunday. Individual brand opening times may vary, including  Bank Holidays.