Tembo Wash Day Returns to Windsor Sculpture Park!
Tembo Wash Day is back! Join us for this beloved, family-friendly event where the community comes together to help give Tembo and her baby elephants their annual bath. Warm, soapy water and all the supplies will be provided by the Windsor Sculpture Park Conservation and Preservation Team.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and head to the Windsor Sculpture Park to celebrate one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Known as the “Museum Without Walls,” the Windsor Sculpture Park features more than 30 large-scale, internationally recognized works of contemporary sculpture by world-renowned artists as part of an ever-growing public art collection.
Tembo Wash Day pays tribute to one of our star sculptures, giving families a hands-on opportunity to join in the conservation and the fun! The festivities will begin with a special performance by Matthew Romain, Laughtertainer, at 10 a.m. A consummate entertainer, puppeteer, and musician, Romain will delight audiences with a unique and engaging performance in the scenic waterfront sculpture park.
A treasured gem of the park, Tembo by artist Derrick Stephan Hudson depicts a majestic African elephant guiding her two babies. Tembo is the Swahili word for “elephant.” The three elephants, cast in bronze, reflect the strength and loyalty of a mother caring for her children. The massive mother elephant stands solidly, guiding her youngsters with protection and care.
Fun fact:
African elephants’ ears are shaped like the African continent and, much like fingerprints, are completely unique — helping scientists identify individual elephants in the wild. Weighing nearly as much as 80 people or six automobiles, this enormous mother elephant is one of the largest bronze elephants in the world.
Conservation and Preservation Program
Tembo Wash Day is part of the Windsor Sculpture Park’s summer Conservation and Preservation Program. To maintain this diverse outdoor collection, regular maintenance is essential. Pollution, moisture (rain, snow, mist, humidity), ultraviolet rays, and other environmental factors continuously impact the sculptures.
Every piece in the City’s Public Art Collection has unique conservation needs, and the City of Windsor is dedicated to ensuring these cultural assets continue to define and enrich our community. Each summer, conservation and preservation work is carried out by a team of student assistants working through the Community Services Division and the departments of Parks, Recreation, Culture, and Facilities. These talented students assess, document, re-paint, clean, and wax the sculptures along our waterfront while preserving other works throughout Windsor.
If you see them in action, be sure to say hello! They’re always happy to talk about the conservation process and share insights into their important work preserving Windsor’s public art.
Join us August 23 for a day of conservation, celebration, and sudsy fun with Tembo and friends!
Quotes:
“Please join us for this beloved family event! Help us give Tembo and her babies the care they deserve. Grab a sponge, get immersed, and make memories while learning more about the City of Windsor’s beautiful and dynamic public artworks. The addition of entertainer and local legend Matthew Romain is sure to make this year’s event unforgettable!”
- Salina Larocque, Cultural Development Coordinator – Public Art