Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM - For Immediate Release
Sacramento International Airport Invests $2M in Public Art to Enhance Passenger Experience
Sacramento, CA – Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is proud to announce a $2 million investment in three permanent art installations as part of its SMForward expansion. The artwork will be featured in the new Pedestrian Walkway, offering travelers an immersive and inspiring experience that reflects the region’s natural beauty, history, and culture.
"These installations are a reflection of Sacramento’s vibrant history and commitment to public art which has the power to transform spaces and create a sense of place,” said Sacramento County First District Supervisor Phil Serna. "These installations will celebrate Sacramento’s identity and enhance the journey for millions of travelers who pass through SMF each year."
The selected works explore themes of migration, movement, and connection, featuring large-scale sculptures, intricate designs inspired by local landscapes, and celestial-inspired imagery. The artists responded to the idea to “bring the outside in” and built upon what makes the Sacramento region unique. The installations include:
- Preserved Flight Path by David Brooks, showcasing avian flight paths in aluminum and endangered local bird sculptures in the Pedestrian Walkway Hub.
- Riparian by HUA Design Studios (Huameng Yu & Louis Chinn), evoking the Natomas Basin’s habitat with thousands of suspended glass rondelles forming a murmuration, geographic brass inlays, and native plant motifs.
- Blue Moon (Theia) by John Roloff, transforming the walkway into a cosmic-inspired space with translucent lunar imagery and meteorite-inspired flooring.
“Our goal in this art program is to cultivate an unforgettable experience for every traveler” said Cindy Nichol, Sacramento County Director of Airports. “The artists will create a welcoming, inspiring environment for travelers while celebrating our region’s culture, ecology, and spirit of innovation.”
The new selections join iconic sculptures like “Leap” the red rabbit in Terminal B and the giant whimsical luggage carts, “Samson” in Terminal A.
The artists were chosen through a search process and request for qualifications (RFQ) with the Hub being open to a national search and the north and south walkways open to regional artists. Another opportunity for artists to create public art pieces at SMF will be available starting on February 28 when an RFQ will be issued for the additional six gate area on Concourse B.
The public art program is a key component of SMForward, the airport’s $1.4 billion expansion plan, which includes new parking, a pedestrian walkway, and terminal improvements. The installations are expected to be completed alongside the new facilities, further establishing SMF as a gateway to Northern California’s creativity and diversity.
Preserved Flight Path by David Brooks
Riparian by HUA Design Studios
Blue Moon (Theia) by John Roloff
The Sacramento County Department of Airports is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county’s four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. Sacramento International Airport offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 36 destinations. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Department of Airports is more than $4 billion annually. For more information, visit sacramento.aero.