INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL IN RUNNING FOR CULTURE AWARD

DRAGONFLY, the ten-metre long aluminum and steel sculpture made from pieces of a redundant Gazelle helicopter, and standing proud at the Solstice Park services area, just off the busy A303, is the subject of a national Arts & Business award.

The design for Dragonfly was the inspiration of Downton artist and sculptor, Charlotte Moreton, pictured right, and the 2007 project involved Salisbury International Arts Festival and QinetiQ in Boscombe Down.

Twelve third-year apprentices, based at Boscombe Down, spent 14 weeks working with Charlotte to transform the helicopter into a work of art.

Already winning three Arts & Business South West awards, the festival and QinetiQ have now been short listed for the Prudential People Development award in the national 30th Arts and Business awards, recognising business improvement and skills enhancement through culture.

Following on from the success of the Dragonfly project, Charlotte again worked with this year's third year apprentices at QinetiQ to produce another sculpture, this time an eight-metre tall steel mesh mallow plant, in keeping with one of the themes of this year's festival - vegetation.

Paul Whitelegg, QinetiQ's site manager, MoD Boscombe Down said: "The transformation of an old Gazelle helicopter into The Dragonfly' has created a new landmark for the area which we are all very proud of."

The winner of the Prudential People Development Award will be announced on Monday, November 24, 2008.

Salisbury Journal 7th August 2008