Arts in the Airport

Arts in the Airport

The 18th Annual High School Visual Arts and Photography
Competition / Exhibition: “Memphis, Its Music, Sights and Sounds” will take place on May 7, 2025.

2024 Winners

Paintings

1st – “The Memphis Flash” by Kimberly Nguyen, Collierville High School
2nd – “Blacklight” by Alyssia Pope, The Collegiate School of Memphis
3rd (tie) – “One Night Only” by Grace Lawson, Arlington High School
3rd (tie) – “Beauty Hidden in Memphis” by Wendy Maulion, Collierville High School

Photography
1st – “The Last Stay” by Luke Anderson, Bartlett High School
2nd – “The Tastee Donut” by Dylan Lane, Christian Brothers High School
3rd – “A Corner of History” by Jack Ford, Christian Brothers High School

• 2024 Painting finalists: https://flymemphis.com/arts-in-the-airport-2024-paintings/
• 2024 Photography finalists: https://flymemphis.com/arts-in-the-airport-2024-photos/

Contest History

In 2008, Memphis International Airport launched an annual local visual art contest. Each year the top 45 works of art are selected and put on display along the walls in the airport’s B baggage claim area. Students are challenged to capture what they love about the city.

Each year a panel of judges evaluates the new works for theme, concept, composition and craftsmanship.

Memphis International Airport receives more than 300 entries, from which 45 are selected to become paintings for the airport’s exhibition along the walls in B baggage claim.

Performing Arts in the Airport

On the music stage in the terminal rotunda, various artists are featured throughout the year. Keep an eye on our social media channels for performance announcements and on our Music at MEM page.

Art Exhibits

Memphis International Airport hosts a variety of locally focused art exhibits. Our goal is to enrich the experience of travelers and provide them with a little insight into the culture, art and museums of Memphis. Much of the artwork on display is themed around the region’s musical heritage.

The artwork on display throughout the concourse is managed by the Urban Art Commission, who maintain an online gallery of every piece at this link: https://uacmem.org/airport/

Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art

Memphis International Airport has 20 pieces from the Belz Collection on display outside the Delta Sky Club in the connector.

This beautiful collection of art includes jadeite and jade vases, ivory balls and figurines, an intricately carved mammoth tusk, a model Judaica train, silver scroll cases and a handcrafted Judaica set. One of the most impressive pieces is the exquisitely carved mammoth tusk featuring a beautiful Chinese landscape. Perhaps the most intriguing piece in the display is an ivory mystery ball with 48 concentric layers.