The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFKIAT, the operator of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 4, recently unveiled the latest exhibit for the terminal’s ongoing arts and culture program to highlight a diverse mix of work by local artists and organizations that showcase the culture and history of Queens.
The T4 Arts & Culture program is a collaboration between the Port Authority and terminal operator JFKIAT that presents a curated, ongoing series of installations, exhibits, and performances at the terminal throughout the year featuring the full New York City experience from local art to food, culture and beyond. Terminal 4 will also house a collection of permanent art installations in the future. The latest additions to the gallery include a digital and static photography exhibit in collaboration with the Cradle of Aviation Museum, a mural representing Queens by local artist Zeehan Wazed; a series of photographs by Terminal 4 employees, and a hologram experience in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WSC) that features extensive video content about wildlife and wild places.
“The Port Authority understands the importance of artwork in transportation spaces to provide a sense of place along a journey, which is why we have incorporated local art into our planning and designs of our airport redevelopment work in New York and New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As we continue to add to our growing collection, our facilities become more than just a place to catch a bus, a train, or a flight: we provide welcoming spaces that entice travelers to come early and stick around for a show or a museum-worthy art gallery.”
“Inspiring public art that establishes a uniquely New York sense of place is one of the cornerstones of the Port Authority’s transformation of the region’s airports,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “These new art installations at Terminal 4 reflect the diversity of our region and offer passengers a compelling look back at the history of Queens and the nation’s preeminent gateway to the world.”
“From a one-of-a-kind Queens-centric mural to a historical exhibition, exceptional photographs by our very own T4 employees and a Bronx Zoo exhibition, we are very proud to present a series of art installations that will encourage travelers to learn more about the diverse communities of New York City,” said Roel Huinink, president and CEO of JFKIAT. “At T4, we are committed to fostering a vibrant environment and providing a best-in-class customer experience, and we look forward to introducing more local programs that create a distinct sense of place within T4 and help to create unique and memorable experiences for our passengers.”
Located at Gate B25, Zeehan Wazed’s painted mural is dedicated to his native borough of Queens. He utilized the medium of collage to reflect the hustle and bustle of the borough, as well as the vibrant communities that intertwine to form the diverse tapestry of New York City. From henna on the streets of Hillside to the boomboxes on Jamaica Avenue, the Unisphere and more, Wazed’s mural pays tribute to Queens communities.
“Having grown up close to JFK Airport in Jamaica, Queens, I strive to encapsulate all of Queens and its many cultures and demographics through my artwork,” said Zeehan Wazed. “I hope this installation will commemorate the surrounding neighborhood which I call home.”
Launching in celebration of Aviation History Month, From Idlewild to JFK presents a digital and static photography exhibition in collaboration with the Cradle of Aviation Museum that speaks to the history of JFK. Located after airport security in the A-Concourse, the installation tells the story of how the airport was established, highlighting the evolution of its predecessor, Idlewild Airport, from a group of makeshift buildings that turned New York into a jet-set city with spectacular air terminals.
“The Cradle of Aviation Museum is proud to collaborate with JFK Terminal 4 in this new exhibit,” said Andrew Parton, president of Cradle of Aviation Museum. “As an institution dedicated to preserving New York’s aviation history, we are thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase the history of JFK.”
The contribution from the Wildlife Conservation Society includes a variety of engaging and informative content such as micro videos that showcase terrestrial and marine animals; a short film that highlights the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) around the globe, and a hologram experience featuring Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny. The hologram experience provides visitors with an immersive opportunity to learn about the wonders of animals such as sloths, alligators, pelicans, warthogs and more. Additionally, the partnership emphasizes the sustainability efforts of the airport’s Terminal 4.
“The T4 Arts and Culture Program is an amazing platform to highlight the artists and cultural organizations in New York City,” said John Calvelli, executive vice president for public affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society. “Through our partnership with T4, we will be educating visitors to the terminal about wildlife and how we all can protect nature. Potentially, 25 million people will see why New York City’s arts and culture community is one of the greatest in the world. At WCS, we are honored to be a part of this community project and we hope visitors to T4 especially enjoy the holograms featuring Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny and animals from our great zoo.”
In Terminal 4’s retail hall, passengers can view photographs of various airplanes that were taken by several of the terminal’s employees who are passionate about photography. The exhibition features photos taken by:
- Vincenzo Pace, senior program manager for airport construction & business development for Unity Electric. Pace is a published professional aviation and aerial photographer and a lifelong aviation enthusiast. His photography has been published in various print and online publications worldwide and has a respected following in the global aviation community. Born and raised in Queens, Pace serves as the secretary of the JFK Airport Rotary and as an active member of the JFK Airport Chamber of Commerce and KAAMCO.
- Shubham Singh, an electrical and computer engineer, and assistant project manager for terminal redevelopment at JFKIAT. Singh was born in India and grew up in Queens, and has a passion for aviation that he showcases through his Instagram account.
- Edilson Norena, airside operations manager for JFKIAT. Born in Colombia and currently residing in Rockaway Beach, Norena holds a bachelor of science degree in aviation maintenance management and is passionate about airport terminal operations. He enjoys sharing his experience from “inside the airfield fence” on social media with the goal of motivating others to pursue a career in aviation.
Inspiring public art is a core component of the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of JFK into a world-class airport. At Terminal 4, JFKIAT and Delta Airlines are nearing completion of a $1.5 billion expansion and modernization program, including 10 new gates and 150,000 square feet of additional space. New gates have already enabled Delta to consolidate all of its operations at Terminal 4. In addition, the project will improve the customer experience with new check-in counters that will improve capacity and efficiency with state-of-the-art technology, installation of new self-service kiosks and self-bag check locations, renovations to restrooms, baggage claim, and arrival areas, as well as new retail finishes and an expanded public art program.
The T4 Arts & Culture program is part of the Port Authority and JFKIAT’s commitment to supporting the local community and providing enriching traveler experiences that epitomize New York City. The arts program is facilitated by a committee that includes the Museum of the City of New York, Delta Air Lines and Terminal Four Airline Consortium. In 2023, the Port Authority and JFKIAT announced a program expansion with the unveiling of the Museum of the City of New York’s inaugural triennial photography exhibition, New York Now: Home. The Queens-based digital installation featured artists who live in Queens or who make Queens the subject of their work.
Previous programs and installations at the terminal have included a Pride Pop-up Museum in partnership with the LGBT Network and the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, which highlighted a range of artwork and historical pride information; a partnership with Steinway & Sons to present a week-long series of performances in the retail hall spotlighting 19 local pianists and artists; a mental health-themed mural that raised awareness and aimed to reduce the stigma toward people who experience mental illness, created as part of the NYC Mural Arts Project and displayed in the arrivals hall in 2022; and a powerful musical performance honoring 32 veterans at Terminal 4 in partnership with CreatiVets, in celebration of Veterans Day in 2022.
