June / July 2008

Student Art Will Expand Airport's Taste of Memphis for Air Travelers

Local students from Memphis City and Shelby County Schools showcased their creative talent and love of their hometown when they took part in Memphis International's inaugural visual art contest entitled Memphis, Its Music, Sights and Sounds. The top 44 works of art have been selected and are on display in the Airport's busy passenger walkway connectors between concourses A, B, and C.

"This competition offered our local students an opportunity to express positive thoughts through art on canvas," said Richard V. White, Vice President of Properties and Business Development for Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. "We wanted them to focus on what is good about Memphis. The students not only recognized some of our greatest cultural assets, but in the process they showed remarkable artistic perception, creativity and potential. They exceeded even our high expectations." Memphis International Airport worked closely with Memphis City and Shelby County Schools, Memphis College of Art, the University of Memphis' Art Department, a panel of local artists and several area businesses to bring the contest to fruition. The panel of judges evaluated the works for theme, concept, composition and craftsmanship.

More than 400 students from 35 schools submitted preliminary entries, from which 44 were selected to become paintings for the Airport's exhibition along the walkway connectors. The works are finished with quality brand acrylic paints on 36" x 48" museum-quality stretched canvases. The materials were provided by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority from donations received from the Art Center and businesses at the airport.

The art will enable the nearly 11,000,000 annual air travelers from around the world who pass through Memphis International Airport to acquire a greater appreciation for the city of Memphis and the talented and dedicated students who are its future. The student art exhibition is the perfect compliment to the Airport's award-winning concession program that features Memphis food favorites, gift products, and Memphis-themed décor throughout the terminal.

First Place - Airport Student Art Exhibition, Music on the River by Jessica Ethridge, Collierville High School

Second place – Airport Student Art Exhibition, Wash Away The Blues by Jason Hunt of Overton High School