Shreveport Regional Airport welcomes return of rotating art exhibit

What once was and then was gone shall once again be.

Artport is returning to the regional airport as a permanent rotating exhibit of the talent and creativity of over 80 local and regional artists in various media.

Opening night is set for Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The free-to-attend event will allow guests to preview the artists and their work, built around the theme “In Southern Dimension.”

This will be the 16th installment of Artport, which began in 1990 as part of an initiative by the Airport Beautification Committee to welcome Independence Bowl attendees with a burst of local artistry, according to Artport Director Abigail Simmons. She brings a unique understanding to the project because it was literally a dinner table discussion when her mother, Cindy Smith, the owner of KSM Marketing Agency, took over the project that the late Louis Kalmbach had initiated.

Artport was a highlight at Shreveport Regional Airport until 2015, when upgrades and improvements at the airport paused the shows. Last year, the airport received grant money and initiated another round of improvements and wanted Artport to make its return.

Some of the featured artwork on display at Artport.

“It is my goal to make Shreveport Regional Airport a point of pride for our region. Having Artport return to the airport will help accomplish this and complement the many improvements currently underway at the airport,” said Larry Blackwell, director of airports. “In Southern Dimension is the perfect theme to showcase our region and provide a sense of place to all who visit our beautiful passenger terminal.”

A silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind ceramic tiles and bourbon bottles, designed and donated by participating artists, as well as celebrity-autographed items, will also be held. This year, in collaboration with Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ), Artport received notable contributions from Hugh Jackman, James Burton and more.

All of the benefits from the auction will go to VYJ, a locally based nonprofit serving atrisk youth. Past Artport auctions have raised as much as $10,000 for area nonprofits.

Windstorm will provide live entertainment.

“We’re thrilled to be part of Artport this year,” said Kelli Todd, executive director of VYJ.

“Proceeds from this inspiring event will directly benefit VYJ programs like CASA, TASC, FINS, youth programs, school-based resources and TBRI ® education — empowering us to continue advocating for children, supporting families and offering trauma-informed care that brings healing and hope across Northwest Louisiana.”

In addition to the auction, attendees on opening night can enjoy complimentary admission and valet parking, live entertainment by Windstorm, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, as well as the opportunity to purchase original artwork and limited-edition reproductions. A photo booth and guided tours of the large-format art will also be installed beyond the security checkpoint.

Part of that area is the work of local artist Haley Kirton, who designed a 150-foot mural on her iPad for the show.

Simmons said she was thankful Kirton was interested in participating in the project. “She is a digital media artist. So, she actually did all of the designs on her iPad. We also had a local vendor print and install vinyl for her digital design. So, she’s been working on her iPad and working with our design team to get the sizing right for printing.”

Being in charge of the return of Artport has been a learning experience for Simmons. “I was much younger when the last show happened. I wasn’t paying attention to anything that was going on. I just showed up on opening night and thought, oh, mom threw a great party, and that was it,” she laughed.

“Now I have a much greater appreciation for this project and what goes into it.

It also has been such a great experience for me, learning-wise, but also meeting all of these artists and connecting with all of these people that I would probably, otherwise, never have connected with. And getting to be a part of the return of this storied event. Putting it all together, revamping the event and reintroducing it to a new generation has really been such a privilege. One that I don’t always feel worthy of, but it’s been a privilege.”

For more information and an introduction to this year’s artists, visit artportshreveport.org Facebook.com/ArtportShreveport Instagram.com/artport_shreveport

Abigail Simmons, Artport director