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Arts and Exhibits
 
Charlotte Douglas International Airport's Art Program, Just Plane Art, includes more than 20 permanent and rotating exhibits.

Just Plane Art helps promote Charlotte and the surrounding region's unique culture. It also helps to improve and enhance the passenger experience at the Airport while giving them a memorable sense of place. One of CLT's most memorable features is the rocking chairs. The rockers originally evolved from "Porchsitting, A Charlotte Regional Family Album" a 1997 exhibit of digital monoprints by Jamie Franki. Currently, there are 100 rockers spread throughout the terminal building for travelers to enjoy.

On Friday, August 31, Charlotte City Council and the Arts & Science Council (ASC) dedicated a new piece of public art that is displayed at a key entryway to CLT. Standing at 60-feet in height, the sculpture is the largest piece of public art in Mecklenburg County and was created by artist Ed Carpenter who specializes in large-scale public installations.
This 60-foot tall by 25-foot wide sculpture named "Ascendus" is designed to be an instantly recognizable icon identifying and celebrating the excitement of flight and contains evocations of aircraft, feathers and, especially, ascent. Crafted in aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and laminated glass, the sleek contemporary look conveys economy of means and the excitement of modern technology. Ascendus was fabricated almost entirely locally by Charlotte-based SteelFab.
Funding for the sculpture was generated from the City’s one percent for arts ordinance. Each year an amount equal to one percent of eligible capital projects at the Airport is allocated for public art. The Airport is owned and operated by the City of Charlotte and, as such, contributes to this fund. As the Airport is a self-sustaining enterprise fund, revenues from Airport user and vendor fees helps fund the Aviation Public Art Program. No tax payer dollars were used.


Some of CLT's permanent collection includes:
  • A 1/2 scale replica of the original Wright Flyer flown by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903, was installed in Concourse E, the Airport's regional carrier concourse, on December 12, 2003.
  • A 15-foot-high bronze sculpture of Queen Charlotte which can be found in the CLT's Queen's Courtyard, located outside the terminal building's entrance. The sculpture was dedicated in 1990 and is the centerpiece of the large plaza featuring a 40-foot reflecting pool.
For more information about CLT's Art Program, contact Airport Public Affairs, 704-359-4000.