Dragonfly Dreaming: Memories of a Weekend of Art, Wildlife & Community at WWT Steart Marshes
Date: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 August 2025
Location: WWT Steart Marshes, Somerset
Last month I was invited to bring together some of my favourite artists to make an inspiring Dragonfly sculpture trail in my most favourite of places, Steart. I was also commissioned to create a series of chalk paintings on the windows of one of the bird hides to add to the trail.
The Dragonfly Festival Weekend, was a celebration of the beauty of wetlands with art, science, and hands-on discovery with the WWT putting on some fabulous walks, talks and workshops and welcoming the public to explore the reserve for two days.
At the heart of the festivities were our dragonfly-inspired art installations created by Amanda Shears, Vanessa Clegg, Kirsten Madiera-Revell, Sarah Meikle, Mike Bradshaw, Sebastian Chance, Debbi Sutton, Ruth Fielder and Lyn Mowat. These installations were thoughtfully placed across the reserve, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on the charm and fragility of wetlands – and the insects that thrive within them. Sadly the work only stayed on site for the weekend. But the chalk drawing stayed and I might even pay another visit to retouch them and keep them going!
Photos by Alison Jacobs, Jon barrett and Elaoisa with Amanda Shears Dragonfly hat by Dillon.
Alison Jacobs 