The Great Elephant Migration
July 4 to September 2, 2024
Salve Regina University is hosting a herd of life-size Indian elephant sculptures on its oceanside campus as part of an extraordinary Cliff Walk experience. The Great Elephant Migration is a traveling public art exhibition and global fundraising initiative to inspire humans to share space.
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. The year-long campaign will see 100 magnificent elephants migrate across the United States to share their story with the world.
The U.S. migration is presented by Art&Newport, founded by Salve Regina alumna Dodie Kazanjian '72, which aims to develop and host a series of city-wide visual arts presentations in Newport.
How to Experience the Great Elephant Migration
The best way to experience The Great Elephant Migration is from the Cliff Walk, which starts on Memorial Boulevard at the western end of Easton's (First) Beach, where public parking is available. Alternatively, visitors can park at the Gateway Center and take the free hop-on/hop-off shuttle, bike or walk.
Heading south on the Cliff Walk, visitors will catch the first glimpse of the herd at Salve Regina, where they'll find 52 elephants on the oceanside lawn of McAuley Hall, fully accessible to the public. Salve Regina's student Cliff Walk Ambassadors will be on hand to guide and educate visitors on the history and impacts of the Cliff Walk as well as The Great Elephant Migration project. Additional herds can be viewed on the Cliff Walk at The Breakers and Rough Point, as well as the Great Friends Meeting House in downtown Newport.
Prospective students and families who wish to tour the Salve Regina campus when they come to view the Great Elephant Migration exhibit can register here. Campus tours depart from Ochre Court at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday throughout the summer.
About Salve Regina University
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1947, Salve Regina is a mission-driven institution guided by five critical societal concerns: the Earth, immigration, nonviolence, anti-racism and women. The University offers rigorous academic programming in the liberal arts tradition that prepares students to be global citizens and lifelong learners. More than 2,700 students from around the world are enrolled in Salve Regina's undergraduate and graduate programs.
As part of its whole-person approach to education that integrates academics with practical experience, Salve Regina has implemented a co-curricular Cliff Walk Ambassador program in which students study the history, economic impact and environmental aspects of the Cliff Walk and receive training in public speaking to act as docents. Three current ambassadors have also been educated on the Great Elephant Migration project to guide visitors through Salve Regina's installation.
