Meet Adopt South's ‘Lion of Love Valen’ sculpture on Cathedral Green!
As part of the city-wide art trail, the Adopt South lion, Lion of Love Valen, will be located in Portsmouth Cathedral’s grounds, helping to bring colour, creativity and community spirit to Portsmouth, while raising awareness of important local causes.
Adopt South, the Regional Adoption Agency for Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, is proud to be part of the Pride of Portsmouth 100 trail. The partnership is supporting the city’s celebrations by sponsoring a vibrant lion sculpture, designed by Hampshire-based artist Kimberley Nicolle.
The Pride of Portsmouth 100 trail marks a significant milestone for the city, bringing together artists, organisations and communities through a series of uniquely designed lion sculptures displayed across Portsmouth.
By sponsoring a lion, Adopt South is celebrating not only Portsmouth’s heritage, but the love and commitment adoptive families give to their children, raising awareness of adoption and championing children's identities, their stories, and who they are.
Says Rachel Reynolds, Head of Adopt South: “We are really proud to be part of the Pride of Portsmouth 100 trail. Our lion, Lion of Love Valen, designed by Kimberley, reflects strength, love and connection, values that sit at the heart of adoption and family life. We are also delighted that Portsmouth Cathedral has warmly welcomed us to be part of the trail in its grounds. Community is such an important part of children’s lives, helping them to feel a sense of belonging and connection. We hope that our Lion of Love Valen will spark conversations about adoption and highlight other children who deserve a forever family where they can be who they are, grow up feeling secure and very much loved.”
Speaking about her lion sculpture design, Kimberley says: “I’m absolutely honoured that Adopt South chose my work for this project. The design is really about connection; love and the stories we carry with us. I wanted the hearts and colours to feel uplifting, full of energy, and something people could emotionally connect with.”
The Dean of Portsmouth, Anthony Cane, says: ‘We at the Cathedral are delighted to be hosting Kimberly Nicholle’s vibrant and colourful lion sculpture, particularly as it is sponsored by Adopt South. The love and commitment of adoptive families is beautifully represented and celebrated by Kimberly’s design, and I look forward to the lion taking its place on the ‘savannah’ of the Cathedral Green, with all the engagement and conversations it will inspire.’
The Lion Trail will be live from 13 July to 13 September across various locations in Portsmouth, inviting visitors to explore the city, discover each unique lion, and learn more about the organisations behind them.
The Lion arrives on the South side of the green this Friday ready for the trail to start on Monday. You can download the trail: The Trail - Pride of Portsmouth or you can buy a copy of the trail for £2 at Portsmouth Libraries. We will NOT be selling copies of the trail in the Cathedral. We will also be enabling children to design their own Lion from Monday on simple Portsmouth 100 Lion sheets.
Learn more about the Pride of Portsmouth Trail here →