Eugene Airport officials recently announced that the popular “Flight Patterns,” art exhibit, also known as The Flying People, will return to the walls of Eugene Airport. The popular exhibit was removed temporarily in 2015, to accommodate changes to the building during a major terminal expansion.
The expansion, completed in December of 2016, required the removal of the primary wall inside the A Concourse where the artwork was displayed. In partnership with Lane Community College, the artwork was relocated to Lane Community College in the Center for Meeting and Learning at the David Joyce Gallery. Joyce is the late artist who commissioned the whimsical, 174 piece exhibit in 1989.
“‘The Flying People’ has been an iconic part of the Eugene experience,” said Public Art Consultant, Greta Latchford. “The Flying People remind us all that despite the latest developments in aviation technology, it’s our human connection that matters most at EUG.” In addition to overseeing the Flight Patterns installation, Latchford will be writing a public art Master Plan for the airport.
The artwork will be installed in phases between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The first installation, consisting of 28 pieces is scheduled to be installed in the airport’s new bag claim area the week of November 27. The remaining pieces will be installed in spaces still to be finalized in the TSA composure area and the A-gates waiting area.
“We chose our new bag claim area for the first installation so that the general public, not just ticketed passengers, will have the opportunity to view this iconic artwork,” said Airport Services Manager, Casey Boatman. “The artwork will enhance our new bag claim area and dispersing these friendly faces throughout the airport provides a sense of continuity.”