Jina Gelder, a pet portraiture and wildlife artist has launched a competition with Maggie’s, the expert cancer charity, to offer readers the opportunity to have their dog painted and immortalised on a Scottie sculpture, as part of the ‘Scotties in the City’ art trail this summer.
Jina’s giant Scottie for the trail will be titled ‘Ground Control to Major Canis’ and takes inspiration from ‘Laika’ the first dog that went into space – and she is offering seven lucky people the chance to have their dog painted on her giant Scottie sculpture.
Jina’s art is known for capturing the personality of pets and wildlife and her sculpture will be just one of 40 giant dogs which will form a fantastic art trail around the city of Glasgow from 18 June - 16 August this summer.
Jina said: “I’m so excited to be taking part in this Wild in Art ‘Scotties in the City’ art trail to raise money for Maggie’s. My dog is called ‘Ground Control to Major Canis’ and inspired by the first dog that went into space, so it will obviously have a space theme. If any readers would like their dog to be featured on my giant Scottie - potentially as an astronaut, then please feel free to enter the competition and I’ll do my best to capture their dog on canvas.”
The competition will run for a very short window and close on Saturday this week (25 April) but individuals can enter by visiting the Maggie’s Centres’ Facebook page, opening Jina’s Scottie’s in the City competition post, and simply posting a photo of their dog. The competition will end at 10am on Saturday 25 April.
Hayley Smith said: “It’s very generous of Jina as one of our artists, to open up this dog-inspired competition to the public. Jina is well known for capturing the personality of pets in her work whether she is doing illustrations on teapots, tea-towels or giant scultpures! I’m sure the seven winners of the competition will be absolutely delighted with the result of their dog’s portrait on her giant finished Scottie.
Hayley added: “Our Scotties in the City trail in partnership with Wild In Art is set to take place for eight weeks over the summer of 2026 from 18 June – when a pack of 40 plus giant Scottie dogs will take over the city and its suburb.
“Each will be beautifully designed and painted by talented artists.
“It’s hoped that this fun, art trail will play a key role in boosting the city’s social, cultural and economic development and draw in visitors to experience the charm of our city.
“Following the trail, the Scotties will then be auctioned in September to raise much needed funds for Maggie’s, cancer charity to support as many families going through cancer treatment as possible.
Hayley added: “At end of the trail, we will host an evening where we will auction off our beautiful, giant Scotties with the aim of raising as much money for Maggie’s to support as many families going through cancer treatment as possible.”
“We know people have travelled far and wide to see art trails like this and many famous faces have bought giant sculptures from Wild In Art charity auctions in the past.
“Maggie’s is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year and we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations from individuals and the local community to enable our professional team to provide specialist cancer support, psychological support and benefits advice for absolutely everyone who needs it. The best bit is that no one needs an appointment to visit Maggie’s. Anyone who is worried about cancer can just come in.”
To take part in Jina’s competition to have your dog painted on to ‘Ground Control to Major Canis’, simply visit the Maggie’s Centres’ Facebook page by clicking here, open Jina’s Scottie’s in the City competition, and simply post a photo of your dog. The winner will be drawn and notified from 10am on Saturday 25th April.
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