Art in airports

Travel tidbits: Friday roundup

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It’s been a busy week at Stuck at the Airport headquarters with some exciting projects in the works and we’ve been setting aside these travel tidbits to share with you for this Friday round-up.

Airport and airline news

(The Dreams We Carry,” by Kipp Kobayashi, in Concourse G at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Airports Commission)

“The Dreams We Carry” at Minneapolis -St. Paul Int’l Airport

Artist Kipp Kobayashi’s “The Dreams We Carry” sculpture is now installed in the two-story Concourse G Rotunda in Terminal 1 — near gates G18-22 — at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

The 45-foot-wide collection of hanging sculptures interacts with the light and hints at the unique stories represented by the more than 300 suspended objects — from everyday companions like favorite pets, cameras and blue jeans to treasured pieces such as rocking chairs, pianos, guitars, houseplants and a beloved teddy bear.

The choice of objects portrayed represents the items Minnesotans and travelers told the artist they most cherished and would bring on an imaginary one-way trip to a destination of their choice.

Airports helping federal employees working without pay

As the government shutdown drags on, federal workers at U.S. airports must continue to work without pay.

A growing list of airports, airlines and community organizations are doing what they can to help these workers make it through.

The latest: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is gathering non-perishable food, toiletries and baby items in a donation drive that runs through October 24th. And West Virginia Yaeger International Airport (CRW) is holding a donation drive on November 4th.

Alaska Air celebrates new nonstop from Seattle to Seoul

We’re sad they didn’t invite us to the party, but we’re glad to see Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Alaska Airlines kicking off the airline’s new nonstop flight from Seattle to Seoul with a fun, celebrity-studded party.

No airline ticket needed to visit Salt Lake City Int’l Airport 11/4

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is inviting the public to come hang out at the airport on November 8, 2025.

No airline ticket is required. But guests will need to register for one of the 200 available slots ahead of time.

Registration opens October 23 at 9 am.

In addition to taking in the airport’s impressive art installations and doing some shopping and snacking, airport visitors will be able to learn about artist Gordon Huether’s new art installation, “Flight.”

Charleston International Airport Goes Pink

Three “CHS Goes Pink” stations are now installed at pre-security, on the way to baggage claim, at Charleston International Airport (CHS) to surpport the fight against breast cancer.

Airport guests can take selfies at the pink balloon display, leave a note on the Memory Wall and purchase merchandise with the proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

United and Jetblue have a new partnership

More tomorrow….

Fresh (upcycled) art at Albany Int’l Airport

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New York’s Albany International Airport (ALB) and Southwest Airlines are marking 25 years of Southwest service to the Capital Region with art.

A new large-scale sculpture titled Treasure Map, by Hudson Valley artist Ruby Palmer, is now on display in the terminal.

The work was made entirely of aircraft seat leather from Southwest’s Repurpose with Purpose initiative, which promotes sustainability through creative upcycling of retired aircraft seat leather.

A wide variety of objects, including travel gear, have been made with old seat leather, but Treasure Map is the first sculpture to come out of the initiative.

There will be a party to celebrate both the anniversary and new artwork on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM next to the Southwest ticket at Albany International Airport, where Treasure Map is installed.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist and enter prize drawings to win an original artwork by the artist, plus 25 round-trip tickets to any Southwest destination.

Fresh art at San Diego Int’l Airport

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(Artist: Guillermo Arias)

Mirror, Mirror exhibition at San Diego Int’l Airport

Mirror Mirror, the newest temporary exhibition on display at San Diego International Airport (SAN), features more than 100 works by 16 contemporary artists from the region, all exploring the fascinating interplay between light, color, and space. 

(Artist: Sophia Allison)

SAN’s Mirror, Mirror exhibition draws on the legacy of the California artists who were part of the 1960s Southern California Light and Space movement.

According to exhibition notes, artists were inspired by the unique quality of Southern California’s light “revolutionized minimalism” by using then-new light-interactive materials such as resin, plastics and neon.

The light-interactive materials were handy, thanks to the local aerospace manufacturing and industrial design industries.

Look for the Mirror, Mirror exhibit at San Diego International Airport in both the pre- and post-security areas of Terminal 2 throughout 2025.

(Artist – May-ling Martinez)

(Artist: Wendell Kling)

Airport art & amenities to look for during Thanksgiving travel

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Exhibition celebrating public art at Miami Int’l Airport

From now until July 2025, Miami International Airport (MIA) is celebrating local public art with a photography exhibition in the Gate D31 Gallery.

Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places: Celebrating 50 Years features 23 images of large-scale, integrated art commissions located countywide, from MIA to PortMiami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and several private-public partnerships on county land.

Santa’s mailbox at Lehigh Valley Int’l Airport

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Allentown, PA has a mailbox set up where kids can drop off letters to Santa.

The mailbox is in the Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post, Jr. Concourse (beyond the TSA Checkpoint) until Tuesday, Dec. 3rd.

Festival of Trees at Charlotte Douglas Int’l Airport

Those 20 decorated trees on the Concourse A Expansion at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) aren’t just pretty. They’re doing some good.

CLT’s Festival of Light features trees decorated in various themes including, “Tis the Season to Travel,” “Christmas Around the World,” “White Christmas,” “Queens Court,” “A Few of Our Favorite Things,” “Construction Fit for a Queen” and “Bon Voyage.”

The tree display is coordinated by HMS Host, CLT’s food and beverage concessionaire and each tree has a QR code that passengers and employees can use to donate to a charitable organization, including Second Harvest, Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish and Autism Speaks.

A second QR code lets everyone vote on their favorite tree through Dec. 28. The winning team will receive a trophy.

Kurt Vonnegut exhibit at Indianapolis Int’l Airport

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We love it whenever a favorite airport teams up with a great museum.

And Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and the local Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library have done just that.

Through the end of 2024, the airport’s KIND Gallery, on Concourse A, is hosting an exhibit created by the museum that honors the late writer, artist, teacher, and Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut.

Like the dowtown museum, the Vonnegut exhibit at the airport tells the story of Vonnegut’s life and explores some his influences, from his upbringing in Indianapolis to his time as a prisoner of war during World War II to his journey to becoming a beloved writer of the 20th Century.

One of his typewriters is on display, along with photos, artwork, personal effects and, of course his books.

“

“Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.”

Vonnegut gave those words to the character named Bokonon in his book, Cat’s Cradle.

“Kurt loved flying into Indy,” said Vonnegut Museum Founder and CEO Julia Whitehead. “Now to have his life, works and memory on exhibit prominently in the best airport in the country is a beautiful way to honor and share his legacy.”

All photos courtesy IND Airport.

Fresh art at SFO Airport: Rosie the Riveter

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One of the newest SFO Museum exhibitions at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) tells the story of Rosie the Riveter and the accomplishments of more than 16 million women who joined the workforce during the Second World War.

More than sixteen million women were employed at the peak of wartime production in 1944—with over three million in skilled factory positions to support the massive increase in war-related industries. Many of those jobs were in aviation.

Here’s the story of “Rosie the Riveter” from the exhition notes:

The Second World War had a profound impact on working women in American society. After the United States entered the war on December 7, 1941, millions of men left manufacturing jobs for military service and recruiters scoured the country in search of replacements. Women joined the workforce in record numbers and filled industrial positions previously denied to them. Migrating from diverse regions and cultures, women converged on the nation’s industrial centers and quickly learned skills that traditionally took years to master. Popular culture and propaganda launched the legend of “Rosie the Riveter,” the anonymous, bandanna-clad woman in coveralls who produced all manner of wartime equipment on the home front.

Look for Rosie the Riveter: Womanpower in Wartime post-security in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport through May 11, 2025.

(Images courtesy of SFO Museum)

Tour the ‘secret’ SFO Museum facility

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Flying boat airliner model aircraft. Courtesy SFO Museum

Yesterday we shared a video from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SFO) featuring the real-life magician pictured in the 180-foot-long “High Wire” mural from the airport’s art collection.

In that video, we get the answer to the riddle: How is a magic trick like an airport?

Today we’re sharing a charming video from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offering a never-before look into the ‘secret’ storage facility of the SFO Museum.

Tag along and then be sure to take in a few of the great exhibits at SFO Airport next time you’re there. We’ve arranged a long layover at SFO this week just so we can see the Airplane Model exhibit in the International Terminal.

How is a magic trick like an airport?

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How is a magic trick like an airport?

“High Wire,” a 180-foot-long mural by artist Michael Fajan, has been at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) since 1993.

In 11 panels, Fagan depicted a magician and his assistant performing a magic trick.

Depending on which direction you view the artwork, it either depicts a person disappearing into a magic box or shows a person emerging from it.

For years the artwork was on a corridor wall in Concourse D where crowds of passengers made it difficult to see. But in 2021, “High Wire” was cleaned and reinstalled above the Concourse A corridor.

And in its new location, it is much easier to see.

But what about that magician in the painting? Turns out he’s a real Seattle-area magician named Jonathan Docter.

SEA recently shared the video below showing the magician at the airport, standing under the artwork, telling the story of how he came to be portrayed in the painting.

And he reveals the connection between magic and the airport.

“Traveling by air is a magical experience. You’re in one city and then after a couple of hours of flying in this large tube that we call an airplane or a jet, you are transported to another world, another city. Almost as if by magic.”

Not almost…

SFO layover? See Art of African Instruments

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If you’re arriving, departing or making a connection at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), be sure to leave some time to explore some of the museum-quality exhibits offered by the SFO Museum.

The newest exhibition comes to SFO Airport courtesy of the Fowler Museum at UCLA. It features bells, rattles, harp lutes, drums, slit gongs, and lamellophones or “thumb pianos” from the West and Central African countries of Liberia, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Here’s a bit about the exhibit from the museum:

Africa’s rich cultural heritage encompasses a tremendous range of music, musical instruments, and performing arts. The variety of instruments made and used in Africa ranges from drums, xylophones, and zithers, to electric guitars and keyboards. Many traditional musical instruments appear utilitarian, while others are embellished with geometric, anthropomorphic, and zoomorphic features, allowing them to simultaneously serve as works of art.

Take a look at a few images from the exhibit below and see the rest of the instruments in SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 through April 13, 2025.

(Images courtesy SFO Museum)