Tampa International to issue call for public art

(July 22, 2015) - Tampa International Airport has a message for artists: Get ready.

On Aug. 17, airport officials will issue a call to artists to compete for work on a dozen new pieces of public art as part of the airport’s historic expansion. 

A workshop to provide information, important dates and answer questions is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Airport’s boardroom, located on the third floor of the Main Terminal. Artists can also attend online.

The goal of the program is to enhance the airport environment while providing opportunities for travelers to experience bold, innovative installations.

With a total budget of $3.5 million, a wide range of media for 12 different locations will be considered, including free-standing sculpture, wall-mounted or ceiling-hung art and functional elements.

The initiative represents the largest call for new public art in the airport’s history, and builds on the airport’s long-standing commitment to public art. 

The current inventory includes 30 different collections located throughout the airport’s public spaces – from the airsides and main terminal to the economy parking garage. They serve as a form of collective community expression. The collection reflects the abundant natural resources and rich cultural heritage of the region and celebrates the legacy of Tampa Bay as the birthplace of commercial aviation.

The oldest pieces date back to 1939, including seven large Works Progress Administration murals by St. Petersburg artist George Snow Hill that hang in Airside E. The murals depict the development of flight, dating all the way back to Archimedes, the Greek mathematician who developed laws governing the floatation of objects through gas.

Other highlights include 22 wool tapestries that were hand-woven by 20 women from Swaziland; the 1,300-pound aluminum Orange Blossom! sculpture at Airside C; and the Sea Shadows – Source, Shadows and Surface exhibit in the Economy Parking Garage that highlights the importance of conserving our oceans and features research by the USF College of Marine Sciences in St. Petersburg.

For more information, go to www.tampaairport.com/PublicArt.