Guide Dogs announces United Airlines as official partner for art trail

United Airlines has been announced as the official Accessible Events Partner for Guide Dog’s art trail, Paws on the Wharf.

Paws on the Wharf, an accessible and inclusive art trail, takes place in Canary Wharf from 25 March to 17 May 2024. The event features 25 guide dog sculptures, each skillfully painted by a different artist, transforming Canary Wharf into a free public art exhibition that highlights the power of creativity and inclusivity.

Left to right: Catalina Malai (United Customer Service), Andrew Lennox (Guide Dogs CEO), Karolien De Hertogh (United Director Sales UK & Ireland), Mr A Singh (Award-winning Artist) and Angie Cadette (United Global Services)

As the official Accessible Events Partner, United Airlines’ support enables Guide Dogs to deliver sighted guide and sensory tours of the art trail. This allows Guide Dogs to help people with sight loss who would prefer support navigating the trail.

The guided sensory tours, taking place on selected days throughout the event, will showcase some of the sculptures, proving a multi-sensory experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch items and smell specific scents that the artists have suggested will relate to their designs.

United Airlines is rethinking the entire flying experience to better serve its customers, including adding Braille onboard and making inflight entertainment and the United App accessible to those with visual impairments. In 2023, United became the first U.S. airline to add Braille to aircraft interiors, helping travellers with a visual impairment navigate the cabin more easily and independently.

Paws on the Wharf aims to be one of the most accessible art trails yet to ensure inclusivity for people with sight loss and other disabilities. In addition to being step free and offering different options for maps, there will be an option to access the trail through the NaviLens App and NaviLens Codes – cutting-edge technology to enable people with sight loss to visit the trail independently. The NaviLens App will also provide information about the guide dog sculptures, the artists and the sponsors. Five of the sculptures will feature exclusive artwork by artists with sight loss including Angela Charles, Alex Devlin, Kevin Gavaghan, Sian Healey and Clarke Reynolds.

Alex Pepper, Head of Accessibility at Guide Dogs, said: “It is fantastic to have United Airlines join us as the official Accessible Events Partner for Paws on the Wharf.

As advocates for inclusivity, we believe that every step along this art trail should not only showcase creativity but also drive awareness of accessibility for all. Through this accessible art exhibition, we aim to not only raise awareness about sight loss but also to champion the beauty of diversity and inclusion in our society. With innovative features like the NaviLens App and sighted guide tours, we ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully experience and appreciate the magic of this event.”

Karolien De Hertogh, Director Sales U.K. and Ireland at United Airlines, said: “We are proud to be the official Accessible Events Partner for Paws on the Wharf and support Guide Dogs’ mission to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. At United Airlines, we remain committed to making the flying experience more inclusive and accessible, and this partnership is a natural fit for United given the values alignment between our organisations.”

Visitors to Paws on the Wharf can pre-book a guided sensory tour at www.guidedogs.org.uk/pawsonthewharf. Tours are available on specific days and last around 90 minutes.

As a grand finale to the event, Guide Dogs will host an exclusive art auction featuring the sculptures. This auction not only provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts to acquire one-of-a-kind pieces but the funds raised from the public auction will also contribute to Guide Dogs’ ongoing efforts to provide essential services and support to individuals with sight loss.

This event is made possible through the partnership with Wild in Art and the support of Citi. It will be hosted by Canary Wharf Group and Canal & River Trust.

For more information, and to keep up as news and events are announced, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/pawsonthewharf or follow along on Instagram at @pawsonthewharf_guidedogs.