March is celebrated as National Women’s History Month, and a new exhibit in the Main Terminal at Orlando International Airport highlights women artists from Florida whose works are part of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s (GOAA) permanent art Collection. Timeless Florida: Women Artists from the GOAA Collection brings together paintings, prints, mixed media, pottery and fiber that evoke a sense of natural Florida.
Featured artists in the exhibit are Beth Appleton, Karin Bastidas, Donne Bitner, June Bowers, Marjorie P. Bryan, Anna Chen, Sherry Lynn Lee, Frances M. Hancock, Laura Magnuson, Carol Elder Napoli, Betty Neubauer, Madeline Landing Pots, Vina Schemer, Jeanne Schubert, Leah Wiedemer and Jean Yao.
The GOAA Art Collection is comprised of works reflecting a variety of styles and media by artists known regionally, nationally and internationally. The art supports the airport’s unique design features that create an iconic and memorable sense of place for all visitors, which is known as The Orlando Experience®.
Art also serves as a wayfinding element for the airport’s passengers; it introduces millions of national and international passengers and residents to the community’s appreciation and focus on the arts; and it provides a first and enduring impression of our community’s diverse cultural offerings. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is solidly committed to a model program of art in public places, with pieces distributed throughout the airport complex.
Many of the artworks were added to the collection during the 18 years that Orlando International Airport hosted an annual on-site regional art festival, welcoming mostly Florida artists as well as those from surrounding states. Due to the festival’s growth and increasing security concerns, the last festival was held in 2000.
The exhibit continues through summer, and can be viewed in the Main Terminal, 3rd Level, near Checkpoint for Gates 70-129. Additional works can be viewed in the display cases in the concourse leading from the Main Terminal to the South Terminal C shuttle.
