Chelmsford-based artist Jennifer Flint, part of the Artists at the Meadows collective, has brought not one but two vibrant sculptures to Buzz in the City: Busy Bee at Chelmsford College and I Love Bs outside Benefit Cosmetics on New Street. She’s also created a dazzling mini bee for the Buzz in the City prize draw—one lucky winner will take home a truly one-of-a-kind creation.

Why did you take part in Buzz in the City?

“I wanted to take part because I loved the idea of bringing a bold, colourful trail to our home city and bring art into people’s everyday lives. Buzz in the City has transformed Chelmsford into a vibrant outdoor gallery, encouraged people to get active, explore different parts of the city, and connect with art in a really accessible way. The trail has created such a buzz (pun intended!) in the community, and it’s been wonderful to see families, friends, and visitors (from far and wide) visit the city and make memories as they hunt for bees whilst also raising valuable funds for Farleigh.”

How long did it take to decorate your sculptures?

“I didn’t really keep close count as I was having too much fun but I would imagine each sculpture took around 30 hours to complete. There was a lot of planning, sketching, and detail work involved, I wanted each bee to feel like a one-of-a-kind character. The mini bee was also a joy to create I wanted it to be as vibrant and special as possible, so whoever wins it will own a truly unique piece of the trail.”

How did it feel to see your sculptures on display?

“It was surreal and exciting to see my bees in such prominent spots around the city. I’ve had so much positive feedback, from people stopping me to say they loved the designs to parents sharing that their children had chosen my bees as favourites. It’s been amazing to see how art can bring people together and brighten their day.”

Are you excited about the Farewell Event?

“Absolutely! I think it’s going to be magical to see the entire swarm together, a real celebration of creativity and community spirit. It’s a unique opportunity for people to admire every sculpture side by side before they’re auctioned off, and I hope it inspires even more people to get involved and bid for their favourites.”

What does Farleigh Hospice mean to you?

“Farleigh Hospice is such a vital part of our community, I grew up with my mum working at Farleigh and I know how much compassion and support they bring to so many families. Knowing that the sculptures will not only bring joy but also raise much-needed funds for their work makes me incredibly proud. I hope that bidders see these bees as not just beautiful pieces of art but as a way to make a meaningful contribution to an organisation that touches so many lives.”

Don’t miss your chance to see Jennifer’s bees up close at our Farewell Event—and maybe even take one home while supporting Farleigh. 

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Gabija Lakaviciute is a 14-year-old student at Moulsham High School in Chelmsford with a clear passion for art. Drawing since they were little, Gabija now experiments with a range of materials, including alcohol markers, acrylics, coloured pencils and digital tools. Their style is bold and expressive, often inspired by nature, insects, and their dog, Luna.

For Buzz in the City, Gabija created Hive Mind—a sculpture influenced by optical illusions and the idea of perception. The design uses repeating patterns and subtle shifts, echoing the hidden depth found in stereograms. With rich purples and golds, Hive Mind encourages people to pause, focus, and look a little deeper.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how people can be drawn in or hypnotised by ideas,” says Gabija. “Hive Mind is a visual metaphor for that—there’s more going on than you might see at first.”

Gabija only heard about the opportunity days before the deadline but was keen to take part, both to gain experience and to support Farleigh Hospice. “I’m only 14, so I didn’t expect anything to come of it—but I’m really glad it did.”

Painting the bee came with its challenges—especially the trickier areas underneath. “I spent ages lying on the floor painting upwards,” Gabija says. “At one point I dipped my hair in the paint and didn’t even realise until I watched a video back!”

Visitors to the trail might spot a small signature hidden beneath one of the hexagons—a subtle personal touch. Nature continues to be a major influence in Gabija’s work, especially the tangled, mysterious sides. “Things like fungi, vines, and how nature quietly takes over—I try to capture that feeling in my art.”

We’re proud to have Gabija’s work featured as part of Buzz in the City. You can find Hive Mind outside Brewhouse & Kitchen, and explore more at www.buzzinthecity.co.uk.

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Based in Chelmsford, Tamara is an emerging artist who specialises in bringing detailed acrylic animal paintings to life and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of creatives. Her bee sculpture, Bee Inside, is a striking piece of anatomical art—both visually captivating and educational—offering a unique glimpse into the intricate inner workings of bees.

“I’ve always had a weird interest in the anatomy of animals—how things work and what they’re for,” Tamara explains. Her bee sculpture celebrates the complex beauty hidden inside these tiny pollinators. Every organ is painted to scale and positioned exactly right—which, as you can imagine, involved meticulous research and accuracy!
“When I researched how the bee’s anatomy worked, it gave me an even greater respect for them—how special and intricate they are. I hope it will educate people on how a bee works and give them a better understanding of how important they are, no matter how small.”

Planning the piece was one of Tamara’s favourite parts of the process. She chose bright, eye-catching colours to make the anatomy feel approachable and engaging.

“I tried not to make the guts look gross! So, I chose bright colours to attract younger viewers,” she says.

That said, bringing the sculpture to life wasn’t without its challenges.

“Getting the massive, heavy bee structure into my house so I could paint it was definitely the hardest part! Thankfully, a lovely guy called David Williams helped me transport it—thank you, Dave!”

And for those exploring the trail, keep your eyes peeled—Tamara has hidden a little surprise in her sculpture.

“I’ve included some bee jokes on one of the honeycomb pieces that the bee is standing on. Enjoy. Teehee.”

Tamara’s involvement with Buzz in the City goes far beyond artistic passion. She was also drawn to the project because of the cause behind it.

“Farleigh Hospice are incredible. I’ve had a few close people I know pass away in hospices, and the love, respect, and care they were shown in their final days is invaluable. Without their charity work and fundraising, they wouldn’t be able to give dying people such incredible care and attention. It was an honour to be part of this initiative, and I wanted my Bee to make them proud.”

A Writtle University graduate, Tamara works at Artists at the Meadows, a gallery in Chelmsford supporting local artists. She helps set up exhibitions, delivers workshops, and finds joy in teaching young creatives to follow their artistic instincts.

“Everyone should paint—it’s such good fun and great for the soul.” For Tamara, creativity isn’t optional:
“I’m so lucky to be around such creative people. Artists at the Meadows is such a great place to work, and being part of a wider family of local artists is so inspiring. I think I need to be creative—I feel weird if I don’t paint.”

What’s next?

Tamara has an exciting art exhibition coming up at Hanningfield Reservoir. You can also explore more of her work at: www.tamaraeden.com.

She’s looking forward to seeing her sculpture on public display, inspiring curiosity and learning.

“It’s going to be amazing seeing my Bee in public and watching people read the labels and learn how incredible and valuable these small creatures are.”

Ready to discover Tamara’s bee for yourself? Keep an eye out for Bee Inside during your Buzz in the City adventure—and don’t forget to look for those hidden bee jokes!

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“I have a BA (Hons) in Art and the Environment from Writtle University College and work as an artist and illustrator, as well as giving lectures and theatre talks. I’ve created about 10 sculptures for art trails in England and Scotland which have raised £22,800 for multiple charities.

I’m quite quick when it comes to painting, so it usually takes me from four days to about a week to decorate a sculpture with my design. I am very focused, giving 100% into creating something beautiful, and so I feel like I’ve put a piece of my soul into each one.

Buzz in the City is my first bee sculpture trail. My bee is called ‘Hive of Hope’ and it’s a bright, colourful and happy celebration of life and nature. There are seven butterflies in the design to reflect life’s fragility and beauty. When someone has passed on and you see a butterfly, it’s sometimes seen as a symbol that a loved one is looking out for you. They’re so delicate, but they’re so amazing at the same time and represent that fleeting moment really well.

My design also reflects the strength, love and togetherness of families and is a tribute to my husband’s grandpa, Tim South, who was cared for by Farleigh Hospice.

I first met my husband, Ollie, about six months after Tim died, but I feel like I know Tim as his family always talks about him. He was very poorly and they speak very highly about the excellent care that he was given by Farleigh.

Tim was the director of Tideway Dinghies, so I have hidden a picture of a little sail boat in my design as a tribute to him. I’m hoping our family can come and see it on the art trail.

I live in Maldon, so it’s great to be part of a local art trail that’s so close to where I live. I’ve actually been painting the sculpture at Farleigh Hospice, which has been a unique experience. It’s a really beautiful, peaceful place and the people there are very friendly and caring.

One of the reasons that I take part in sculpture trails is that art brings joy and happiness, so I believe it should be free and available to everyone of all ages.

I have had some lovely reactions and positive comments about my sculpture as I’ve been painting it. I will be really excited when Buzz in the City opens on Saturday 5 July and my bee is revealed to the public.

I feel very emotional about my Buzz in the City bee. I’m delighted to be able to support Farleigh Hospice and do something positive for my local community in memory of Tim. It’s one of my favourite art trail sculptures.”

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