A Wild in Art event brought to the city by Compton Care in partnership with Wolverhampton BID and the City of Wolverhampton Council, the trail will feature 30 large dragon sculptures, each uniquely designed by artists from the Midlands and beyond and sponsored by a local business.
It took flight on the 21st May with a launch event at the Lockworks Cinema in the Chubb Building, where partners, supporters and invited guests gathered to hear more about the vision for the trail. Compton’s Chair, Ros Keeton, and CEO Rachel Overfield proudly unveiled the first design – a striking dragon inspired by the heart and spirit of Wolverhampton – offering an early glimpse of the creativity set to soar across the city in 2027.
The sculptures will be installed in key locations across Wolverhampton, transforming the city into a free, accessible outdoor gallery for people of all ages. Designed to encourage exploration and bring people together, the trail is expected to attract thousands of visitors, boosting footfall and helping to ignite a renewed sense of civic pride.
Alongside the main sculptures, schools and community groups will be invited to take part in a learning programme, designing and decorating smaller baby dragons to feature as part of the trail, helping to inspire creativity and leave a lasting legacy for the city.
Trail of the Dragons forms part of Compton Care’s 45th anniversary, celebrating decades of compassionate care and support for local people living with life-limiting conditions. At the end of the trail, the dragons will come together one final time before being auctioned, with funds raised helping to ensure the charity can continue to provide specialist care and support for patients and their families.
The dragon was chosen as a powerful symbol reflecting both Compton Care’s mission and the spirit of Wolverhampton. Its strength mirrors the resilience the charity supports patients and families to find in the most difficult moments, while its sense of protection reflects the safe, supportive care it provides. Dragons also symbolise guidance, echoing how Compton’s specialist teams walk alongside people with compassion and expertise. Above all, they represent hope and transformation – capturing both the journeys of those the charity supports and the energy of a city continuing to grow and evolve.
Rachel Overfield, Chief Executive of Compton Care, said: “Trail of the Dragons is a powerful celebration of creativity, community and the spirit of Wolverhampton. We want to ignite something special across the city – bringing people together, sparking imagination and creating lasting memories. At the same time, this trail will raise vital funds so that Compton Care can continue to walk alongside local people and families when they need us most.”
Cherry Shine, Managing Director of Wolverhampton BID, a City Centre Partner of the trail, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring energy and creativity into the heart of the city. Events like this are proven to drive footfall, boost economic activity and create a real sense of occasion. Trail of the Dragons will not only attract visitors but also give businesses a unique platform to be part of something meaningful and high profile. We’re proud to support Compton Care and help ensure it can continue providing specialist palliative care and bereavement support to communities across the area.”
Representatives from the City of Wolverhampton Council as a Presenting Partner of the art trail attended the launch. The Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “We are proud to support Trail of the Dragons as part of our ambition to create a vibrant and welcoming city. This trail will showcase Wolverhampton’s creativity, strengthen civic pride and encourage people to explore and enjoy everything the city has to offer.”
Businesses are now being invited to get involved through a range of sponsorship opportunities, offering a unique chance to elevate brand visibility, engage employees and customers, and play a central role in a landmark cultural event for the city. This summer, artists will be invited to submit designs, while schools and community groups can get in touch to find out more about the learning programme and how to take part – helping to ensure the trail reaches and inspires communities across Wolverhampton.
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, concluded: “We’re delighted to be bringing Trail of the Dragons to Wolverhampton. Our trails are designed to bring creativity into everyday spaces, igniting imagination and creating shared experiences that connect communities. They also provide a powerful platform for businesses to engage new audiences while supporting the vital work of Compton Care, helping ensure more people can access specialist palliative and end-of-life care and support when they need it most.”
