An Arts Gallery, of Sorts: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

By Mike Phennicie



Murals, paintings and sculptures have graced the grounds and buildings at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport since the mid-'90s that celebrate natural and intellectual resources, regional flavor and the wonders of exploration and aviation.

In addition to permanent installations and enhancements, a program of changing exhibitions provides a venue to showcase specific cultural and artistic assets of the Baltimore-Washington region.

BWI Marshall's art and architectural enhancements dramatize an environment appropriate to the airport's stature as a gateway for the Baltimore-Washington region. By expressing a distinct sense of place and conveying the excitement of modern air travel, the works of art complement and energize the spirit of the facility's architecture.

Once locations of maximum impact for traveler's experiences were identified, artists worked with engineers, designers and architects to integrate art elements that make working spaces memorable. Artistic elements were developed to enrich and enliven the architecture in the A/B terminal, daily garage and rental car facility.

Management at BWI Marshall recently unveiled three new art exhibits as part of its rotating arts program. Travelers passing through the international terminal can see a collection of 50 paintings from the U.S. Air Force Art Collection.

It's from this terminal that a large majority of U.S. airmen, soldiers, sailors and marines leave for overseas deployments and return home. Having these works from the Air Force art collection on display here offers an opportunity to tell the public what our men and women in uniform are accomplishing. The rich diversity, heritage and history of the Air Force can be seen as part of an exhibit through July 30.

Meanwhile, visitors to the terminal near Concourse B can view prize-winning photographs from the annual Governor's Cup Yacht Race professional photo competition, sponsored by St. Mary's College of Maryland. The Governor's Cup Yacht Race is the oldest and longest overnight race on the Chesapeake Bay. This year marks the 36th running of the race from Maryland's current capital city to its first capital in St. Mary's City.

Visitors to BWI Marshall also can visit the Youth Art Gallery, which opened in November 2005. It is located in the Children's Play Area adjacent to the Observation Gallery in Concourse B.

Exhibits, which are changed semi-annually, are coordinated through a partnership of the Maryland Aviation Administration and the Maryland Art Education Association. Each of the exhibits has a different theme and is targeted to a different age grouping. The current exhibit features work by high school students. The display of 24 works of art features paintings and drawings from students representing nine counties and the City of Baltimore (all 24 public school systems in Maryland were invited to submit artwork from their students).

On the upper level adjacent to the Observation Gallery, the Thurgood Marshall exhibit gives travelers a history lesson about the life and times of the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. The exhibit contains artifacts and a timeline of his life and accomplishments. A bronze bust of the justice adorns the center of the display.

October 2008 marked the premiere of the performing arts program in the terminal. Designed to entertain the traveling public and lessen the anxiety that comes with air travel, the concert series is presented on the fourth Friday night of each month from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Music from a variety of genres can be heard on stage at bag belt 5 on the lower level of Concourse B.

On the same Fridays, roving entertainers travel around all concourses on the secure side of the terminal, entertaining departing passengers.



Mike Phennicie is director of business relations at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. He can be reached at 410-859-7987 and mphennicie@bwiairport.com.