Flybe announces winner of Public Art competition
Flybe has announced a team of four students from South Devon College has been judged the winner of the airline’s public art competition in which local Art and Further Education colleges were asked to submit proposals for a jointly-funded piece of outdoor art themed ‘Linking the South West with the Rest of the World’.
The legacy piece will provide a prominent feature to the entrance of Flybe’s new multi-million pound Training Academy at Exeter International Airport scheduled to open in December.
The judging panel, comprising key members of the local planning team, airport management, airline and Academy management, took into consideration key criteria and also the public views given during a recent two-day exhibition of all entries in voting South Devon College’s ‘Making Connections’ design, the overall winner. Key criteria included the need for the artwork to be in keeping with the innovative green design of the new building, to be aesthetically pleasing and, most importantly, to be fully sustainable as a permanent feature.
An entry by Sally Sawyer of Somerset College was deemed to be of such merit it was agreed that, as runner-up, its concept will be incorporated into the artwork selected for the building’s interior alongside art provided by Flybe’s Academic partner, Exeter College.
Simon Witts, Flybe’s Training Academy Director, says: “Flybe, together with our partners Exeter College, the University of Exeter and Exeter International Airport, was overwhelmed by the standard and artistry shown by all the entries submitted for our Public Art competition. On behalf of Flybe, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one.
“Our special congratulations, of course, go to the talented team from South Devon College whose artwork we will be extremely proud to have standing outside our new Training Academy. It reflects thoughtfully and creatively the themed vision of ‘Linking the South West with the Rest of the World’.
“The winning design, ‘Making Connections’, is a visually stunning arrangement of steel semi-hoops representing the linkage of Flybe and Exeter airport to the rest of the world, the connections between schools, colleges and universities with learners and, last but not least, the rolling Devon Hills. Incorporating sustainable materials, movement and light, the design encapsulates all that the Academy has been established to represent,” explains Mr Witts.
Richard Atkins, Principal of Flybe’s Academic Partner, Exeter College, comments: “I am impressed with the standard and imagination of the winning entry and we will be proud to see our work, which is already an established part of the planned internal branding, complemented by this outstanding design. It cements the concept of the public sector Further Education Colleges working together to support leading employers like Flybe.”
Concludes Mr Witts: “We are really looking forward to witnessing the growth of South Devon College’s impressive vision as it becomes a permanent piece of real life artwork that will be viewed by the many thousands of people from all over the world who will pass through the Academy’s doors.”
