The Blessing of the Beasts 3

Aim

The Blessing of the Beasts is Whitstable's annual event to celebrate the beloved companion animals in our lives!

During the pandemic I realised what an important role our pets play in our lives, offering us unconditional companionship and helping us feel connected in a fractured world.  This event was conceived during that time, and the first fully-funded Blessing of the Beasts took place in 2021.  This was followed by another successful event the following year, funded by the Lottery Community Fund.  Unfortunately in 2023 I  couldn't secure funding but thanks to everyone's generosity I managed to raise my total via  Crowdfunder. 

The Blessing of the Beasts is a magical,participatory community event - unique to Whitstable, and my long-term aim is to make it an annual event. Everyone is welcome to participate, and I shall be running free workshops leading up to the event, for people to make celebratory icons of their pets (living and dead) for the Pet Shrine.

I am Sadie Hennessy, a Whitstable-based artist, specialising in installations and live events.  Here I am, dressed as a sea urchin, with a couple of goldfish and a Dalmatian, at the last Blessing of the Beasts!:

Date:  All being well, if the funding is raised, the event is scheduled to go ahead on the 6th September 2025 and heads up, we shall be joined by Les Zoings (brass band with a difference) and The Dead Pelicans!

Rewards:

 To Be Confirmed

This project successfully funded on 11th September 2024