After carefully reviewing almost 600 pieces of artwork in the Airport’s collection and evaluating them in terms of their physical condition and artistic merit, Gordon Huether Studio, in collaboration with airport staff, identified approximately 135 artworks in the current collection that will be reinstalled once the Terminal Redevelopment program is complete.

GHS has been working with HOK Architects and airport staff to map where each of the 135 pieces will be displayed within the new airport terminal. Among the 135 artworks that will be displayed are the much beloved ‘Flying Machine’ sculptures, six suspended works by Utah artist Dennis Smith. Because of their fragility, Smith will carefully restore the sculptures, before they are reinstalled.

Gordon Huether Studio’s curatorial work was the final step in an effort to create an all-encompassing archive of the entire airport collection of almost 600 pieces. With the help of existing appraisal documents from 2010 and an overview of the existing collection provided by airport staff, GHS was able to create an updated, comprehensive inventory.

The airport is planning to catalog the work digitally in an airport database for archival purposes. Some works from the collection, due to damage and poor condition, will be restored and entrusted to other civic institutions or other appropriate settings. This archive will be a great resource for the airport and the community in the years ahead.