Arts and Culture
The Tucson International Airport Arts and Culture Program consists of a permanent collection, rotating exhibits, and a performing arts program, Live at TIA!
Permanent Collection
In 1987 the Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors made a commitment to acquire art for the airport. More than 40 original works of art by artists living in Tucson's air service trade area, which includes Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties and northern Sonora, Mexico, are represented in the collection.
In 2008, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Tucson Airport Authority, several site specific works were selected for the terminal. A guide to the TIA permanent art collection is available at the Airport Information counters inside the lower level entrances to the terminal.
Exhibits
Temporary exhibits by regional artists are also featured in the airport's galleries:
Arcoiris (Spanish for rainbow), a new exhibit featuring paintings by Karen Bellamy and Letizia Stanghellini is on display in the TIA Lower Link Gallery through May 15. An artist reception is planned for March 31 from 3-5 pm. Refreshements will be served. Parking will be validated.
In the Center Gallery on the ticketing level Journey West: elliptic stories, a photographic exhibition by Tom Kiefer, is now on display. This exhibition is the final installment in a three-part series that explores territory, geographic and cultural, along the roads that connect Kiefer's hometown of Ajo with Arizona's two largest cities. http://journeywestexhibit.com/
In the TIA Upper Link Gallery through May 31, abstract paintings by Sheryl Holland, http://www.sherylholland.com/ and transparent & opaque enamels and "jewels", kiln fired onto burnished copper tiles by Cynthia Miller, http://cms.flytucsonairport.com/cms/Arts & Culture Program/Exhibits/Temporary Exhibits/2012/www.finefusions.com
Several other spaces in the terminal are also designated for community arts and culture displays. At security checkpoint A through August, The Charismatic Microfauna, black & white photograph images by Charles Hedgcock http://www.charleshedgcock.com/
Currently showing at security checkpoint B departures through August, From the Garden of My Mind, paintings by Mary Theresa Dietz, mtdietz@mac.com and security checkpoint B arrivals through August, photographs by James Harrell, www.redbubble.com/people/james2001.
New in TIA's ARTport, TIA's employee art gallery: photographs by Scott Kimble; paintings, photographs, and drawings by Jennifer Montgomery; and On Swanson Pond, photographs by Charlotte York.
Also on display to celebrate Arizona's Centennial, a mixed media painting featuring a timeline of Aviation, Aerospace and Astronomy in southern Arizona by Avaition Artist Michelle Rouch is on display in TIA's Lost & Found Office on the lower level near bag belt #4. Displays in the Welcome Lounges include an art exhibit by Luz Academy and SciTech Fest educational panels.
The Native American Gallery, located at the entrance to Concourse A, features a collection of pottery, baskets, jewelry, kachinas and other handcrafted items by Native Americans in the region.
Click here for a list of upcoming exhibits.
Live at TIA! Performing Arts Program
Throughout the year local performers entertain at TIA. Performers interested in information about the program can email art@tucsonairport.org. Click here for more information about the program.
