Sunport Arts Program
the sunport art collection
The Albuquerque International Sunport is one of the country’s most culturally unique airports because of its New Mexican architecture and extensive art collection. Artwork in the permanent collection can be found throughout the main terminal building, outside the Ticketing Level entrance, along Sunport Boulevard, at the Rental Car Center (on University SE south of Sunport), and at the historic Old Terminal Building. The Sunport’s temporary exhibits have gained international recognition and included collaborations with local artists, community organizations and museums.
artwork locations
Sunport Boulevard
- Gray Mercer, “Running Horses,” cor-ten steel sculpture, 11x35x6′
- Joe Keith, Quality Fountain for Desert Bloom (Bennie Duran) Pot, 7’x10′
- Holly Sanchez, Fountain for Desert Bloom (Bennie Duran) Black/Gray Pot, 6’x3′
- Kim Young, Fountain for Desert Bloom (Bennie Duran) Animal Pot, 6’x3′
- Ben and Geraldine Toya, Quality Fountain for Desert Bloom (Bennie Duran) Jemez Pueblo Pot, 6’x3′
- Rogelio Madero, “La Serpentina,” Madero Sculpture & Design, 800’x2′
- Glenna Goodacre, “The Basket Dance,” bronze sculpture #5/12, 6×3′ wide
- sheri crider, mentor and student artists, “ALBURQUERQUE!!!,” one shot enamel on aluminum alupanel, 10’ x 50’
Great Hall
- John Boomer, “Serenity & Hope,” wood & marble sculpture with music string, 35″ x 12″ x 7″
- Liz Anderson, “Untitled,” ceramic vessel raku fired, 17″x15″x11″
- Louise Laval, “Andean Spirit,” doll: fabric, clay, fetishes, silver, tin, ribbon, yarn, 29″x9″x4″
- Elizabeth C. Naranjo, “Lamp Vase,” traditional black ceramic with Avanyu design, 17″x12″ diameter
- Pop Chalee, “Buffalo Mural,” casein on canvas, 49″x202″
- Pop Chalee, “Horse Mural,” casein on canvas, 48″x202″
- Wilson Hurley, “La Cueva Sunset, West,” oil on canvas, 63″x135″
- Wilson Hurley, “La Cueva Sunset, East,” oil on canvas, 63″x135″
- Charlie Carrillo, “La Huida a Egipto,” traditional New Mexican retablo, paint on wood, 24″x18″
- Paula Rodriguez, “Popular Santos in New Mexico,” black wooden cross with straw inlay, 18″x10″
- Angie Reano Owen, “Untitled,” traditional bracelet with turquoise, lapis, mother of pearl, jet and abalone on green snail shell, 4″x4″x2″
- Stewart Quandelacy, “Medicine Bear,” fetish/alabaster with turquoise & silverado jet, 9″x9″x2″
- Rosemarie Lopez Stuyck, “Queen of Rosary, Lady of Guadalupe, Lady of Sorrows,” retablo, paint on wood, 20″x31″
- Artis Lane, “Emerging Madonna I,” ceramic/bronze, 25″x14″x10″
- William Moyers, “The Norther,” bronze, 19″x19″x19″
- John Nieto, “Buffalo Dancer,” acrylic on canvas, 6’x5′
- Bill Baker, “Tararhumara of the Sierra Madre”, pastel on board 48″x68″
- Grayson, Ilena, “Untitled” earthenware with metalic leaf, 15″x13″
- Gachupin, Laura, “Owl Bowl”, traditional ceramic with polychrome paint, 6″x8″
- Bill Baker, “The Suranami of Nararachi,” pastel on board 48” x 68”
- Julian Robles, “San Ildefonso Hunting Dancer,” oil on canvas, 48” x 30”
- J.D. Steely, “1912 New Mexico Wood Carving,” wood, 38” x 86”
- Irene Martinez Yates, “Bere de Santa Cruz,” – carved & painted wood, 21” x 17” x 3”
- Gary Neblitt, “Guadalupe Sunrise,” oil on canvas, 39” x 49” ”
- Marie Romero Cash, “Cristo & Mourning Figures,” carved & painted niche, 20” x 16” x 6
- Jezebel, “The Illumination Tree,” glass & steel sculpture, 14.5’ x 14.5’
- S. & E. Romero, “Holy Family,” embroidered colcha on textile w/ tin frame, 21” x 21”
- Morris Rippel, “Corrales Mystique,” watercolor on board, 18″ x 30″
- Barbara Doroba-Ogg, “Quartet,” mixed media, oil and encaustic on birch panel, 24″ x 102″
- Ron Adams, “Profile in Blue,” color lithograph, #16/50, 47″ x 35″
- C Gate: Frank Ettenberg, “Deep Sea Falls,” oil on canvas, 39″ x 48″
- C Gate: RC Gorman, “Storage Jar,” color lithograph, #37/225, 26″ x 36″
2nd Level - Ticketing
- Clinton Adams, “Figure in Green,” color lithograph, #3/10, 22″ x 24″
- Betty Hahn, “Botanical Layout Peony,” photographic color lithograph #40/40, 24″ x 20″
- Russell Hamilton, “Yellow Pot,” oil on linen, 36″ x 30″
- Holly Roberts, “Coyote with Woman Inside,” oil on B&W silver print, 14 1/2″ x 18 1/2″
- Earl Stroh, “Quiet Scherzo I,” lithograph #6/10, 18″ x 25″
- Bruce Lowney, “The Last Hill,” lithograph #12/30, 19″ x 25″
- Miguel Gandert, “Rudolfo Macarenas-Amalia, New Mexico,” black & white photograph, gelatin silver print #30/50, 20″ x 16″
Sandia Vista Room
- Luis Tapia, “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” santo, painted wood carving 20″x6″x5″
- Stella Teller, “Storyteller”-native clay, polychrome paint, turquoise and heishe, 11″x10″x13″
- Dorothy Torivio, “Seed Jar”-pottery with traditional black paint/graduated design, 11″x11″
- Maxine Toya, “Hopi Woman”-ceramic with earth pigments, 12″x9″x6″
- Dora Tse Pe, “Untitled”-black ceramic & turquoise with Avanyu design, 7″x9″
- Robert Montoya, “Images in the Pueblo Night”-casein on ragboard, 16″x20″
- Tina R. John, “Untitled”-Two Grey Hills tapestry, traditional Navajo design, 26″x40″
- Pablita Velarde, “Why the Coyote Bays at the Moon”-earth pigment painting on masonite, 24″x14″
- Marcellus and Elizabeth Medina, “Jar with Dancers”-ceramic with polychrome paint, 10″x11″
- Charmae Natseway, “Seed Pot”-traditional ceramic with Mimbres design, 7″x8″
West Wing / Planning & Dev Offices
- Larry Calcagno, “Earth Legend Series,” acrylic on canvas, 49×39″
- Pat Woodall, “The Congregation,” on loan Michael McCormick Gallery
- Bill Baker, “Waiting in Naragache,”
- Michael Archuleta, “Taos Blue Horse,” on loan Michael McCormick Gallery
- Dayton F. Molzen (on loan) 16″x24″ Framed Color Photographs:
- “Day’s Done”
- “Rest Stop”
- “Desert Thunder”
- “Tack Room”
- “Sabrina”
- “River Crossing”
3rd Level - Pre-Security
- Nancy Kozikowski, “Runways,” hand-dyed wool tapestry, 6×20′
- Gus Foster, “Central Avenue at Carlisle, Albuquerque,” color photograph, ektacolor print, 13” x 92”
- Elias Rivera, “Under the Portal of Santa Fe,” oil on canvas, 35” x 70”
- Beaumont Newhall, “Ansel Adams-Rachos de Taos, New Mexico,” black & white photograph, gelatin silver print #30/50, 8 1/2″ x 12 7/8″
Administrative Offices
- Pop Chalee, “Buffalo Dancer,” casein on canvas, 85×61″
- Francis Rivera, “Spring Fever,” oil on canvas, 50×50″
- Shelbee Mares, “Taos Garden,” 18″x 24”
- Shelbee Mares, “Botanica IV,” 18″x24″
- Shelbee Mares, “Reflective Awakening,” 36″x48″
- John Nieto, “Anniversary Ascention,” framed acrylic on canvas, 49” x 39”
- Francis Rivera, “Spring Fever,” oil on canvas, 48” x 48”
- Arthur Sussman, “Buffalo White,” oil & mixed media on masonite, 24” x 36”
- Sam Scott, “Sun Song,” oil on canvas, 14” x 34”
- Clifford Fragua, “Guardian of the Fourth Dimension,” marble/alabaster, 54” x 26” x 18”
- Tim Pryhero, “American,” mixed media sculpture, 13” x 28” x 8”
- Hilda Volkin, “All That Surrounds the Earth Surrounds Me,” silkscreen acrylic sculpture, 30” x 10” x 7”
- Virginia Dehn, “Rites,” acrylic & clay on canvas, 40” x 48”
1st Level - Baggage Claim
- Jinni Thomas, “Ever Changing,” acylic & watercolor on paper, 22″ x 28″
- Hilda Appel Volkin, “Circles of Light,” silkscreen acylic sculpture, 24″ x 84″
- Martha Slaymaker, “La Facade II”, mixed media & wood on plywood base, 46″ x 27″ x 2″
- Barbara Doroba-Ogg, “Thursday, 2pm,” mixed media, oil and encaustic on birch panel, 84″ x 84″
- Unknown Artist, “Navajo Rug Donation,” traditional weaving, 47″ x 78″
A Concourse
- A/B Connector: Lincoln Fox, “Dream of Flight,” bronze sculpture, 17×14′
- Gate A2: Paul Andrew Ortega, “Untitled,” Chimayo weaving, traditional design, 87” x 54”
- Gate A4: Aaron Karp, “Caldron,” acrylic on canvas, 60” x 80”
- Gate A7: Edward Gonzales, “Hacienda Pan,” oil on canvas, 48″ x 60″
B Concourse
- A/B Connector: Lincoln Fox, “Dream of Flight,” bronze sculpture, 17×14′
- Gate B6: L. Armando Ortega, “Lucinda,” Chimayo weaving, contemporary design, 32×48″
- Gate B6: Fritz Scholder, “The Magician,” color lithograph, #53/60, 39×26″
Observation Deck
- Phyllis Jennings, “Tewa Motel, Albuquerque, New Mexico,” color photograph, cibachrome print, 121/4″ x 18 3/4″
- Gene Kloss, “Processional New Mexican Church,” drypoint & aquatint etching, edition of 50, 11″ x 14″
Old Terminal Building
- Pop Chalee, “Navajo Yeibichai,” casein on canvas, 36×26″
- Pop Chalee, “Apache Crown Dancer,” casein on canvas, 36×26″
- Pop Chalee, “Taos Horsetail Dancer,” casein on canvas, 62×70″
- Pop Chalee, “Matachine,” casein on canvas, 36×26″
- Pop Chalee, “Zuni Masked Dancer,” casein on canvas, 36×26″
- Stuart Walker, “Untitled,” oil on canvas, 30×40″
- Jack O’Connor, “Eagle Dancer,” metal/colored epoxy sculpture, 5’h x 8’w
Rental Car Facility
- Evelyn Rosenberg, “Global Positioner,” hanging metal sculpture, 20’ x 30’ x 18’
- Paula Castillo, “Tea Gate V,” – recycled metal gate, 71” x 42” Gilberto Guzman, “Chile Harvest,” monotype oil based, 30 ‘ x 41”
- Douglas Kent Hall, “Bell Ranch Spur,” silverprint photograph, 14” x 22”
- Orlando Leyba, “Untitled #1,” mixed media on paper, 30” x 23”
- Patrick Nagatani, “BMW, Chaco Canyon,” photograph, 32” x 42”
- Mary Antonia Wood, “Construction with Chacmool,” mixed media 36” x 24” x 4”
- Alan Houser, “Abstract Crown Dancer 1,” fabricated bronze, 99” x 40” x 38”
- Cynthia Rowland, “Lions Share,” two bronze sculptures, 4’ h x 7’ w x 8’ l
- Tammy Garcia, “Rains for the Harvest,” – bronze, 6’ h, 25”w, 8 “ d
- Harry Fonseca, “Last Tango in Santa Fe V,” acrylic on paper, 30” x 22”
- Sylvia Martinez Johnson, “Spanish Market,” acrylic on canvas, 20” x 48”
- Ed Larson, “Cowboy Dream,” painted wood assemblage, 30” x 60”
- David Alvarez, “Zebra,” painted wood carving, 11” x 18” x 6”
- Ben Ortega, “San Pascual,” santo, carved wood, 22” x 8” x 8”
- Mike Rodriquez, “Calico Cat,” painted wood carving, 19” x 6” x 21”
curtiss pusher biplane
The Sunport is home to an original 1914 Curtiss Pusher Design Biplane located in the Great Hall near the north window. The biplane is believed to be the finest surviving example of an original Curtiss-design pusher. It was designed after the first biplanes flown in New Mexico by Charles Walsh in 1911, and Lincoln Beachey in 1912. To commemorate these landmark flights, The Albuquerque Museum and the Albuquerque International Sunport jointly purchased this historic airplane for the people of Albuquerque. Its presence in the Sunport is a monument to the history of early aviation in New Mexico. In contrast to modern aircraft, the propeller is located in back of the craft and it pushed, rather than pulled, the biplane through the air. Most of the airplane, including the wing fabric, is in original, unrestored condition. Minor repairs have been made to the wing fabric and bamboo since the plane was acquired in 1987. Only a very small number of parts, including some of the rigging wires, have been replaced.
sunport serenades
In 1998, the Sunport Arts Program officially expanded its schedule of events to include a year-round series of concerts in the Great Hall of the airport terminal. Sunport Serenades offers free concerts, featuring an array of local talent, ranging from classical to mariachi to jazz to polka. Each year, more than 100 free concerts are produced to entertain visitors and welcome travelers to the Land of Enchantment. The concerts are a popular opportunity to showcase diverse and talented performing artists. All performances are free, open to the public, and held in the Great Hall of the Terminal Building, 2nd Level. For more information, call 244-7785.
sunport events
The Sunport hosts a variety of regular/annual events each year. These events include the Honor Flight, 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in conjunction with TSA, Sunport Santa, the Buy Local Kickoff in conjunction with NM True, and World Diversity Day celebration.
Special events include those to launch art exhibits, inaugural flight celebrations, development announcements, travel fairs in conjunction with State and Federal partners and others. Historic aircraft shows and air shows are also held on our airfield from time to time. Be sure to follow our social media accounts to learn about upcoming events.
sunport exhibits
Temporary exhibits include special installations such as We Are This City and Lowriders and Hot Rods: Car Culture of Northern New Mexico, projection mapping installations on the 3rd level above the escalators, group installations in the display cases between the terminal and parking garage and others.
The Lowriders and Hot Rods exhibit ran from June 2019 to Sept 2020 and was awarded one of Top 9 Airport Art Exhibits in the World by ArtDesk Magazine. The exhibit showcased mobile works of art and their creators, home-grown Nuevomexicanos who customize, detail, paint, and upholster these popular symbols of culture. The exhibit included custom cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and photography from the past 40 years and sought to elevate this segment of New Mexican culture beyond its stigmas and stereotypes, to celebrate skilled craftsmanship and their commitment to family and community. The goal was to open a door to people of all cultures to mingle, learn, and appreciate what it means to engineer a proud ride and hit the road, low, slow, and in style.
art donations
The Sunport accepts submissions for art donations, which are then reviewed by an Art Selection Committee to determine if the submission is a good fit for the permanent collection. For artists interested in submitting a donation, please use the contact form below.
Circles of Light (seen on left)
Dedicated to New Mexicans who lost their lives to COVID-19
One of the more recent art donations accepted by the Sunport is a three-piece set by local artist Hilda Appel Volkin. This vibrant work now resides in the Meditation Room and is dedicated to New Mexicans who have lost their lives to COVID-19, as well as families and friends who are in need of healing.
“Through difficult times, we need strength and determination to heal. This piece shows the promise of hope and healing,” said Volkin. The three pieces of artwork, entitled Circles of Light, were installed in April of 2021. Volkin came up with the idea of creating circles and light to represent hope and the stages of healing. “Working with light has been a constant source of inspiration in my work,” said Volkin. “I combine fluorescent plexiglass with dichroic film to reveal the spectrum and wavelengths of light.”
The artwork was created in 2020 when the pandemic started and took Volkin several months to complete. “When viewing the artwork, I hope to create an atmosphere of inspiration and meditation,” said Volkin. “When you view the artwork from different angles, new colors appear, suggesting a renewal of spirit.”
Volkin’s commissioned artwork is located nationally and in New Mexico at museums, colleges, hospitals, retirement centers, businesses and private collections. In appreciation, she wanted to give back to the community by donating this artwork, especially during the pandemic.
Additionally, Volkin has another piece in the Sunport’s permanent collection, titled All that Surrounds the Earth Surrounds Me, a silkscreen acrylic sculpture displayed near the Administrative Offices on the 3rd level.
