100 life-sized Indian elephant sculptures embark on symbolic U.S. journey in “The Great Elephant Migration”

Newport is in for a great treat with the arrival of The Great Elephant Migration beginning July 4, 2024. Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) President and Director of Rough Point, Frankie Vagnone welcomes this installation and its exquisite craftsmanship as “symbols of a commitment to sustainability, livability and resiliency, the core components of the work we’re doing at NRF.” Vagnone indicated that “Rough Point is proud to be one of the host sites of this exhibition along with partners at Salve Regina University, The Preservation Society of Newport County and The Newport Historical Society, all coming together to be part of this Great Elephant Migration.” 

The brainchild of Coexistence Collective Co-Founder and Elephant Family Trustee Ruth Ganesh 10 years ago, the project has come to fruition after having an expansive UK tour in 2021 attracting over 5 million spectators. This is the first time the traveling public art exhibition and fundraising initiative has been in America and it opens in Newport. The 100 elephants will be on display in different locations throughout Newport until September 2, 2024 when they begin their 3,500 mile migration south and west. The elephant sculptures will  travel to New York City, Miami, Blackfeet Nation, Buffalo Pastures in Browning, Montana and Los Angeles throughout 2025 with further programming to be announced.

An international collaboration between indigenous artisans, contemporary artists, and cultural institutions, The Great Elephant Migration aims to support indigenous–led conservation efforts, and inspire peaceful human and animal coexistence.

Each elephant in the 100-strong herd has been created by The Coexistence Collective, a community of 200 indigenous artisans from communities in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu. The collective has re-created every elephant they live alongside using one of the worlds top invasive weeds, Latana Camara, which encroaches upon over 40% of India’s protected areas. Each elephant takes about 3 months to complete and the adults weigh about 600 pounds. Each elephant is twinned with a conservation NGO in the USA and beyond whose work will directly benefit from the sale of their sculpture.

Ganesh indicates “In the last 40 years, the human population of India has doubled to 1.4 billion, which has coincided with an increase in the number of elephants, rhinos, lions, and tigers in the country. The extraordinary success of this compassionate coexistence is a testament to the power of collective empathy. Our magnificent herd is here to tell its story, inspiring the human race to share space and be part of this transformative movement.”

Art&Newport Founder and exhibition curator Dodie Kazanjian has curated a series of multidisciplinary art installations by artist Hadi Falapishi. Falapishi has created an extensive body of work specifically for this project which will be displayed at several of the towns most storied mansions and historic sites, including the Solarium at Rough Point Museum, the Great Friends Meeting House, and the Great Hall at the Breakers. The herd of 100 elephants will be dispersed and installed just outside these locations, creating a dialogue with Falapishi’s work and a remarkable and immersive experience for visitors. Kazanian stated “I could not think of a project more aligned with the mission and values of Art&Newport, and we are so honored to be the first location in the US to engage with this work.”

Starting on July 4, and throughout August, visitors and locals alike can experience the Great Elephant Migration by embarking on one of their own – a journey along the Cliff Walk. Starting near Easton’s Beach, visitors will encounter herds along the way, at Salve Regina University, then the Breakers, then Rough Point, and can continue their journey to the Great Friends Meeting House.

Throughout the exhibition, the majority of the herd, 52 elephant sculptures, will be situated at Salve Regina University on the ocean side lawn of McCauley Hall, fully accessible to the public. Salve’s student Cliff Walk Ambassadors will act as docents to help guide and educate visitors on the history and impacts of the Cliff Walk and the Great Elephant Migration Project.

For more information about the migration or to buy an elephant, please visit www.thegreatelephantmigration.org.

Photo Gallery

Photo Credit: Jack Casey/What’sUpNewp

More from What'sUPNewp

Pastrnak lifts Bruins to 3-2 win over Predators with OT goal

David Pastrnak scored 15 seconds into overtime and the Boston Bruins beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 on Tuesday night.

2 hours agoJanuary 27, 2026

Legislative commission recommends creating medical school at URI to address primary care shortage

Consultants project first class could enroll in 2029; school would generate $196 million annually in economic activity once fully operational

2 hours agoJanuary 27, 2026

Bitter cold grips the eastern US as winter storm deaths rise and power outages linger

Brutal cold lingered in the wake of a massive storm that dumped deep snow across more than 1,300 miles (2,100 kilometers) from Arkansas to New England and left parts of the South coated in treacherous ice.

3 hours agoJanuary 27, 2026

Bill Belichick snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame in first year of eligibility, report says

Six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick didn’t get voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, according to a report from ESPN.

4 hours agoJanuary 27, 2026

Judge rules Massachusetts offshore wind project halted by Trump administration can continue

A federal judge said Tuesday that a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court.

7 hours agoJanuary 27, 2026