Airport art

TPA’s Flamingo Needs a Name

Contests,

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is hosting a contest to pick a name for the impossible-to-miss, 21-foot flamingo that now lives in the airport’s main terminal.

The artwork is by artist Matthew Mazzota and is officially titled “HOME.” But TPA would like the flamingo to have its own name. And they’ll give a nice prize to the person who proposes the best name for the big bird.

Along with christening TPA’s big pink bird, the contest winner will win 4 nonstop, roundtrip tickets for themselves and 3 companions on Silver Airways. The prize also includes a VIP Experience package to Busch Gardens, including 4 single-day admission tickets, 4 All Day-Dining passes, 4 Quick Queue Unlimited passes, and preferred parking.

Here’s how the contest works:

From Tuesday, November 29 until Tuesday, December 6, anyone may submit a suggestion for the flamingo’s name at www.NameTheFlamingo.com. One entry per person.

Contest participants will need to briefly explain on the online form why they chose the name they are submitting.

After the contest closes, TPA will select the top three names. And starting December 12, the public will be able to vote on their favorite name. The winning name will be revealed on Friday, December 16.

Have any great ideas? Something better than Spot or Freddy Flamingo?

Travel Tidbits

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Better rest times for flight attendants

On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration finalized rules requiring airlines to give airline flight attendants at least 10 hours of rest time between shifts.

Under existing rules, flight attendants get at least nine hours of rest time. However, due to a variety of circumstances, that time off often ends up being much shorter.

Fresh Art at John Wayne Airport

A new exhibit at John Wayne Airport (JWA) in Santa Ana, California features ceramic art by Hawaiian artist Randy Au.

“Vegetable Series” is inspired by Au’s love for nature. The ceramic shapes are inspired by squash gourds that are glossed and gilded in gold. The intricate designs are inspired by Oriental, Egyptian, and American culture and history. 

Look for the exhibit post-security in the Thomas C. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport, between Terminals B and C, across from Gate 14, until March 2023. 

Airport Amenity of the Week: SFO’s Golden Gate Park ‘activation’

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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has an ongoing program celebrating the city’s neighborhoods and cultural events.

The newest activation shines a light on the rich history of live music performances in Golden Gate Park with a photo essay, live performances, and a photo station in Terminal 3, Boarding Area F.

“From Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s to Lizzo in the 2020s; from the Summer of Love to Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Golden Gate Park has long been a Bay Area epicenter of music and culture,” SFO reminds us.

The new activation, SFO Celebrates: Music in Golden Gate Park will feature live music performances on August 26th and September 1st & 2nd.

On a stage near the F Food Court, there’s a two-sided backdrop where travelers can put themselves into the picture with the Grateful Dead in the 1960s or with Billie Eilish today.

And there’s a photo Exhibition in the F Concourse along the moving walkway, featuring photos of memorable performances in Golden Gate Park that have taken place over the past 60 years.

First Nations Welcome Figure lands at Vancouver Int’l Airport

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‘The Story of Frog Woman and Raven,” by Dempsey Bob, courtesy Vancouver Airport Authority

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is well-known for its impressive art program featuring the work of many First Nations people.

Throughout and around the airport, passengers see art that draws on and invokes the themes of land, sea and sky. 

This week, the Vancouver Airport Authority righted a past cultural wrong in the airport art program by installing a new Musquem Indian Band welcome figure near the International Arrivals Area, in Chester Johnson Park.

The newly raised welcome figure, carved by ʔəy̓xʷatələq (Musqueam artist Brent Sparrow), is visible when you exit YVR’s International Terminal and is in a spot significant to Musqueam culture.

Courtesy Vancouver Airport Authority

Musqueam are the original stewards of Sea Island, which is the land where the airport is now located. And, per an agreement made between the airport and the Musqueam in 2017, the Indigenous artworks at the airport and on Sea Island are to be created by Musqueam, reflect their culture and tradition, or be approved by the Musqueam.

That’s why the airport also moved three traditional Gitxsan poles from the airport to a nearby park.

The poles were created in 1970 by Gitxsan hereditary chiefs and students, and have been on loan to YVR from the Museum of Vancouver since 1995. The poles at YVR predate the airport’s agreement with Musqueam and were moved because, while Indigenous artwork, they do not represent the Musqueam, whose land they were on.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport debuts its eighth new concourse

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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) begins welcoming passengers at a new concourse today.

The new, state-of-the-art, eight-gate concourse will be used soley by Southwest Airlines. Amenities include charging stations in every seat, an Animal Relief Area, a Family Restroom and a Nursing Room. Hearing loop connectivity allows those with hearing devices to connect to the PA system.

For now, passengers will find kiosks offering food, beverage, and retail items. Shops, restaurants, and a Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club are set to open in the coming months.

Local favorites Pedal Haus Brewery and Berry Divine – Acai Bowls will be in the new concourse as well as regional concepts Bobby’s Burgers, Eegee’s and others.

Retail shops will include national brands as well as local products from Changing Hands Bookstores, Made Art Boutique, and Melrose Pharmacy.

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The new concourse also showcases the arts and includes a terrific-looking terrazzo floor depicting aerial views of the Phoenix landscape. 28 terrazzo wall pieces are shaped like airplane windows.

The work is called “Phoenix Lights, Phoenix Rising” and is designed by artist Susan Logoreci.