Art comes in all shapes and forms, each showcasing its own kind of mesmerizing beauty behind the creative genius of the artists. Captivating its audiences, art can be an outlet through which many of us get lost behind its impressive expressions. What better way to feel at ease before boarding a long flight than gazing upon the mystique of artistic displays as you make your way through the airport.
“Flying is famously not an experience we look forward to,” notes Matt Evans of San Antonio International Airport. “But we’re working to reframe that narrative with art,” Evans shared in an article from texashighways.com. Below are a few Texas airports known for their artistic displays found along their airport corridors, garnering the attention of thousands of travelers each day.
1. William P. Hobby Airport
Photo: Facebook.com/Airlinereporter
The Houston Airport System has one of the largest collections of public art in the state of Texas. Artwork can be found as you drive onto the grounds and throughout the various terminals. You are greeted with impressive displays, which include sculptures, photographs, and glass mosaics made primarily by Texas-based artists.
Each artwork is symbolic in its own nature with various themes displayed throughout the airport corridors. Outside of the passenger drop-off area, you are greeted with a piece titled “Call Ernie,” by Jim Love, a painted steel aircraft reminiscent of the old days. Inside, as you stand in line to go through security, you can look up and be amazed by a piece called “Cloud Room Field,” by Christian Eckart, a beautiful mosaic glass artwork. A bronze sculpture titled “Moon Shadow,” by Joseph Havel awaits you at International Arrivals. How about a piece of art you can sit on as you wait? It’s called, “Somewhere Between Here And There,” with concrete and LED light work spelling out the title.
Each piece of art is breathtaking in its own right and created to inspire those otherwise boring moments as you wait to board that long flight. For more about the artwork in Hobby Airport visit fly2houston.com.
2. George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Photo: Facebook/Artist Felipe Contreras
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has artwork that is as mystical and interesting as its counterpart at Hobby Airport. With a large showcase of various types of sculptures, photographs, and artistic elements throughout its terminals, it’s no wonder you stand in awe at each unique piece.
Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii’s artistic display of beautiful columns of “Beads” is located in the International Arrivals Hall of Terminal E. It will impress you with a towering showcase of colors wrapped in powder coated aluminum and enameled steel. Then there’s an oil on carved plywood titled, “Being Caressed By A Cactus,” by Richard Armendariz, with its own interesting elements. Or a majestic piece by Dixie Friend Gay, titled “Houston Bayou.” These lovely glass tiles on the wall near a baggage claim welcome you with its captivating display of colors.
The list is endless, and each piece is unique in its own style. You would think you were in a section of an art museum with the various stand-alone pieces located throughout the terminals, each with their own story to share. For more about this artwork visit www.fly2houston.com.
3. San Antonio International Airport
Photo: Facebook.com/Public Art San Antonio
San Antonio International Airport is no stranger to showcasing its art displays throughout the terminal for travelers to enjoy.
Probably its most stunning display is the “Suitcase Wheel” by a Texas-based artist duo known as the Art Guys. It’s “a 16’ diameter wheel made of 75 vintage Samsonite suitcases stacked face to face together by an internal metal ring,” shares sanantonio.gov. Visions of lost luggage sitting on lockdown waiting for their owners to claim them come to mind with this piece. “Four Directions,” by Rolando Briseno, is a display of “colorful frieze of art glass depicting historic doorways and architectural portals found throughout San Antonio,” shares its website. “Nostalgia, Texas,” by Gary Sweeney is a series of neo-retro tourist posters designed to highlight San Antonio and the Hill Country. A few of its humorous yet truthful slogans are “HemisFair ’ 68 – You’ re Way too Late,” “ San Antonio: Fiesta, Siesta,” and “We have dozens of towns you can’t pronounce.”
Each display seeks to explore and unveil the culture of San Antonio through its exhibits. Delve into the charm and beauty of this town. For more on the artwork of San Antonio’s International Airport visit www.sanantonio.gov.
4. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Photo: Facebook.com/Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been amazing visitors with its award-winning artwork since 1999.
Thomas Evans’ mural painting “Hill of the Medicine Man,” portrays Enchanted Rock and the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. “La Musica Sigue,” by Raul Valdez, is an acrylic paint on wood panel artwork that depicts Austin’s vibrant and cultural music scene, a rich part of the fabric of Austin’s lifestyle. “Eight Big Guitars” is a collection commissioned by Gibson Guitars. What better way to welcome visitors to the “Live Music Capital of the World,” than giant guitars?
For more on the artwork found along Austin’s International Airport terminals visit austintexas.gov.
5. Dallas Fort Worth International
Photo: Facebook.com/Sharon Simpson
At Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) they seek to inspire travelers with their impressive “multi-million dollar commissioned public art pieces and inspiring walking paths,” shares their website. The art pieces located throughout the terminals are from over 30 local, national, and international artists, and include beautiful paintings, sculptures, mosaic pieces, and more according to the website.
As you journey through the airport, you will come across an impressive large-scale artwork by David Driskell & Jerome Meadows titled “On the Wings of a Dragon,” soaring high above as you make your way to your flight. “Crystal Mountain,” by Dennis Oppenheim, is “a large, aluminum-frame sculpture located at the north side of Terminal D.”
For more on the awe-inspiring and mystical artwork of DFW’s art pieces, visit www.dfwairport.com/art.
