“This was a difficult task, said Darryl Dobras, chairman of the TAA Art Selection Committee. “We had over 85 submittals from which we created a shortlist of 15 artists. All of them were extremely creative in their approach to the projects and very enthusiastic about being showcased in the airport art collection.”

      “Four of the areas are sites where the artwork will be integrated into the building as part of the Concourse Renovation Project,” explained TAA President/CEO Bonnie Allin. “They will be unveiled at the TAA 60th anniversary celebration and concourse dedication next April. The signature piece in the Center Pointe will be completed by October 2008, in time for a community open house to celebrate both the 60th anniversary of TAA, and the 50th anniversary of the TIA control tower.”

      Sue Betanzos creates collage using paint, glass, marbles, mirror, smalti and fossils. Her work, Elements of Nature, will be featured on the entrance walls to the baggage claim restrooms. The budget for this project is $25,000.

      Sculptor John Davis works in metal and acrylic. Open Suitcase, featuring a zippered bag constructed of metal with acrylic shirts folded inside, will be installed under the east stairwell in baggage claim. Closet Under the Stairs, will be located under the stairwell in the west baggage claim. The budget for these two projects is $20,000 each.

      Susan Gamble, of Santa Theresa Tile Works, is using tile to depict Tucson Travelers framed in a tile border, at the entrance to the concourse restrooms. The budget for this project is $25,000.

      Glass artist Tom Philabaum’s installation, Another Way to Fly, consists of 26 glass panels ranging in size from 16X24” to 36X60”, suspended in three layers from the ceiling in the Center Pointe, in the middle of the terminal on the ticketing level. The budget for this project is $80,000.

      The artwork is being funded from the airport capital budget. “TAA has been accumulating money for a number of years, anticipating that as we neared the end of construction there would be a sufficient amount for several major works of art,” said Ms. Allin.

      The Tucson Airport Authority initiated an art acquisition program in 1987 with its first call to artists. Today, the Authority art collection consists of over 75 works by regional artists.

      In 1990, the Authority introduced an exhibits program that has expanded to include four galleries. Live at TIA! a Performing Art Program with local entertainers debuted earlier this year. For more information about the TAA Arts and Culture Program visit, www.tucsonairport.org/Community/ThingstoSee.