The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Queens Culture & Arts Network (QCAN) today unveiled an expansive and vibrant mural inside LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B garage depicting some of the most iconic sites in Queens, including parks, museums and other attractions that represent the rhythm and spirit of the borough. The mural adds to a collection of public artworks at LaGuardia that create a uniquely New York sense of place at what has been named the nation’s best airport by Forbes Travel Guide for two consecutive years.
The mural extends LaGuardia’s world-class art experience from the interior halls and concourses of the airport’s new terminals to Level 2 of the indoor Terminal B parking garage, where passengers connect with Uber, Lyft and other for-hire car services. The 54-foot-long mural covers an L-shaped wall with depictions of iconic Queens attractions, including the historic Pepsi Cola sign overlooking the East River, CitiField, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Gantry State Park, Queens Botanical Garden, and the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Park, among others. Artist and long-time Astoria resident Brittney Rios, who signs her works as “Plushie,” chose the images based on her experiences while living and working in Queens.
“This mural reflects the vibrancy, diversity, and uniqueness of the borough of Queens, creating a New York sense of place at LaGuardia Airport, quite literally from curb to gate,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “From the start, we envisioned a new LaGuardia Airport that would include public art, light-filled and spacious terminals, iconic and locally inspired concessions and state of the art technology to create the world-class passenger experience we intended.”
“Public art doesn’t just beautify our airports, it also tells our region’s unique story to millions of passengers who pass through LaGuardia, Newark-Liberty and JFK International every year,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The mural at LaGuardia Terminal B’s garage is an example of how we are infusing our new airport terminals with art that will inspire travelers to explore our region.”
“I wanted to capture a familiar and studious aesthetic with my work, so I focused on highlighting as many must-visit Queens sites for travelers as possible, many of which are my personal favorites,” said Plushie. “I emphasized the energy of each location through the color that they are typically associated with – orange for CitiField and red for the Pepsi Cola sign, for example. Queens is my home, and I adore the vibrant energy that all of Queens has to offer.”
“This mural serves as both a vibrant greeting for those visiting New York for the first time and a dynamic travel directory, guiding visitors to the many incredible destinations that Queens has to offer,” said Queens Culture & Arts Network Executive Director Susan Agin. “For returning residents, it feels like a warm embrace, reminding everyone why Queens stands out as the city’s most diverse and exciting borough.”
The Port Authority and QCAN partnered to select an artist who would draw inspiration from their own connections to Queens to create a mural celebrating the diversity, rhythm and spirit of the borough. QCAN released a Request for Proposals from artists for the project. The final selection was a joint effort between the Port Authority and QCAN.
Port Authority airports, including LaGuardia, Newark-Liberty International and JFK, are undergoing a historic $45 billion transformation, extending through 2035, with the goal of creating world class and award-winning passenger facilities.
