The John Wayne Airport Arts Program, overseen by the five member Airport
Arts Commission, presents museum-quality exhibitions in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal,
provides periodic special programs in conjunction with the exhibitions
and sponsors a countywide Annual Student Art Contest/Exhibition.
THE VI SMITH CONCOURSE GALLERY
Located on the secure side of the Riley Terminal in Terminal A, across from Gates
2 through 5, and in Terminal C, across from Gates 18 through 21, the Vi Smith
Concourse Gallery exhibits world-class art for business and leisure travelers.
Exhibitions have included traditional paintings from the plein air school,
contemporary art and sculpture, fine art photography, sports history
memorabilia, historic imagery of military aircraft, authentic Navajo weavings,
antique automobiles, antique radios, surfing history in Orange County and
contemporary ceramics. View information about current exhibit...
ORANGE COUNTY: DESTINATION ART AND CULTURE
Launched in November 2011, the ORANGE COUNTY: Destination Art & Culture exhibition is presented in wall-mounted cases along the pedestrian bridge
connecting Terminal B and the new Terminal C. Located prior to security
screening, this exhibition space is a perfect place to highlight amazing art and
cultural venues based in Orange County. These cases are visible to anyone
traveling through JWA – ticketed passengers and visitors alike. The Bowers
Museum, one of Orange County’s oldest and largest museums, was the first
exhibitor showcasing its landmark exhibition, Warriors, Tombs and Temples:
China’s Enduring Legacy. Subsequent exhibitors include the Segerstrom Center for
the Arts and the Laguna Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau. View information about current exhibit...
COMMUNITY FOCUS SPACE PROGRAM
The Community Focus Space Program, located on the non-secure
side of the Riley Terminal next to baggage carousels in Terminal A and Terminal
B, features art by Orange County artists, local community organizations, and
artists with Orange County ties in solo-style exhibitions. This year-round
community art space changes approximately every four to six weeks. There are also two
free-standing cases at each entry to the security screening check point areas in
Terminals A, B and C. View information about current exhibit...
FLIGHT OF IDEAS
As part of the Airport Improvement Program, a large scale three-dimensional
sculpture, “Flight of Ideas,” was installed above the baggage carousels in
Terminal C. The sculpture by Beth Nybeck and Dick Jobe is composed of 21
aluminum and Plexiglas birds with wing spans ranging in size from three feet to
14 feet suspended on an “S” shaped structure. The wings of the birds display
enlarged portions of multi-color aeronautical charts printed directly on the
Plexiglas wing panels. View photo of exhibit...
ANNUAL STUDENT ART CONTEST AND EXHIBITION
Each year, John Wayne Airport holds a countywide aviation themed student
art contest. The contest is open to all public and private schools in Orange
County, including home-schooled students, grades kindergarten through 12. The
winning entries are then sent on to State, National and International levels of
competition. Winning entries are displayed on the Arrival (lower) Level in baggage claim
adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4. Over the years, JWA has had many winners
at the State, National and International levels of competition. View information about current contest...
