New Sacramento Airport Terminal Is Art Showcase
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The new Terminal B is not just a place to catch a plane, it could be called an art gallery!
Travelers will see a dozen pieces of original art, designed specifically for the terminal and they're all meant to wow you.
"To me, that's what makes a space welcoming, is that it's not just wood and metal and stone - there's a deliberate attempt here to make people feel comfortable by way of giving them something to enjoy visually," said Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna.
There has never been an art project of this magnitude in Sacramento before. The work of twelve artists is on display here. It was a process that started two years ago.
"If it wasn't for the ticket counters and the fact that there's no folks here, you'd think it was almost an art museum," Serna said during a tour before the new terminal opened.
Click here for slideshow of the artwork at the new Terminal B.
Panels of curators, art historians and airport staff chose the artwork. In fact, one of the pieces is about the workers here - called "The Baggage Handlers".
"Sacramento has a long history of integrating art into the buildings," said Shelly Willis of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. "And that was really important to the artist, to monumentalize the people that are behind the scenes who really make this airport run."
The piece called "Leap" is getting the most attention -- a giant red rabbit, jumping into a suitcase - which is serving an unintended purpose.
A swirling 'bowl' in the suitcase is being used as a wishing well of sorts. On the day CBS13 toured the airport, there was 26 cents in it.
"I love that. I love that some of the pieces in this project are about discovery. They may not be something that you notice the first time, but as you experience the airport you begin to experience them in a different way and I think that's incredible," Willis said.
The theme of 'bringing the outdoors in' runs through the entire place. Airport director G Hardy Acree says, everywhere you look is a visual experience.
"It's stunning - my original concern that it was going to dominate the space is not the case," said Acree. "I think the building itself is more of an architectural statement -- and I love the rabbit."
Out near the gates, there's more, a 17-foot house made of purple glass, a giant silver French horn that passengers can use to send musical messages, and a spectacular chandelier that's an homage to valley oak trees.
"Art changes your perception of a place. It shows that that the community cares about certain things - and I think that's really important," said Willis. "It will change the way people think about sacramento."
