Ontario International Airport Features Local Students' Art Exhibit.

Business Editors

ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2001

A student art exhibition, entitled "Inspiring," based on the inspiration that the artists received from a personal object, is on display at Ontario International Airport (ONT) from May 19 through May 30, 2001.

Nine art students from Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga created the artworks which are displayed in ONT's exhibit cases in Terminals 2 and 4. The specially designed cases, built by the same firm that provided art cases for the Getty Center, house rotating collections featuring works from contemporary artists.

The students' artworks were assignments given in their "Fundamentals of 2-D Design" class instructed by artist Cynde Miller. Each student chose a personal object that had special meaning in his or her life, gave the objects a "persona," placed them in different environments, and photographed them. Each artwork is a finished product of this "inspirational" process and incorporates elements of two-dimensional design ranging from automatist drawings, transverse value, various color schemes, simulated texture, symbolism, pointillism, bas relief, and other techniques.

"Our art exhibit at Ontario International Airport presents a wonderful opportunity to professionally present our work," said Jessica King, an art student whose work is on display at the airport and the exhibit curator. "We enjoyed this explorative process and feel more confident and encouraged to continue our careers as artists."

The students participating in the exhibit are King (Curator), Mohua Roy, Vanessa Fay, Pierre Caldwell, Aaron Browning, Elannie Quinterro, Alex Castellon, Kim Ashlock, and Nicole Whitlow.

"We are pleased to showcase the inspiring work of talented artists from Chaffey College," said Airport Manager Jens Rivera. "Their exhibit is featured for its professionalism, quality, and artistic expression."

ONT's twin terminal complex features a $1.6 million public art program including multi-hued terrazzo flooring at the main entrances, etched glasswork above the entranceways, and multi-panel displays in the baggage claim areas. Also featured are ceramic murals in the concourses, suspended glass sculptures above the escalators, and rotating art exhibits in specially designed display cases. In Terminal 4, a bronze sculpture of George Chaffey, founder of the cities of Ontario, Upland, and Etiwanda is proudly displayed.

"The airport's innovative public art program complements the facilities' cutting-edge architecture and reflects the region's cultural diversity," said Rivera. "Airports are important public gathering spaces and we're proud that we can offer Ontario International's 6.7 million annual passengers an exciting cultural experience."

ONT is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a Los Angeles city department which also owns and operates Los Angeles International, Van Nuys General Aviation, and Palmdale Regional Airports.