Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is home to more than 10 airlines. Staying true to its historic aviation roots, Terminal 1 showcases the best of St. Louis art in many publicly accessible spaces and on each concourse. Terminal 1 features permanent exhibitions that pays homage to aviation pioneers as well as temporary exhibitions that reflect regional pride. To view previous exhibitions, visit the Exhibition Archives page.
A Frayed Knot by Douglas Dale
Pre-security, Lower Level A Baggage Claim Windows
Exhibition dates: Now through April 2024
While in Terminal 1, take in a collection of yarn and wood sculptures that draw inspiration from spaces where reality is the product of illusion: camp, drag, theater, and the club scene. Dale uses hard and soft materials, aiming to construct new identities that encapsulate the full spectrum of hard and soft, wood and fiber, masculine and feminine. Across from the Kling Family Gallery near the exit from Concourse C.
About the artist:
Douglas Dale was born in Springfield, MA and received their Bachelor of Arts from Grinnell College in 2015. Their work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Fiber Art Now, The American Craft Council, Craft Alliance, The Sebastopol Center for the Arts California, The Galesburg Civic Art Center and many other prominent museums and galleries around the world. Their latest show “Loose Ends” is on view from January 26th- April 12th, 2024 at COCA (Center for the Creative Arts) in University City, St. Louis, MO.
To learn more, visit Douglas-Dale.com.
Bienvenidos by Quinn Antonio Briceno
Pre-security, Lower Level A Concourse Wall
Exhibition dates: Now through April 2024
This colorful, bold painting welcomes you as you depart the A Concourse in Terminal 1. It depicts the St. Louis-based artist’s connections to his home country Nicaragua, which he was unable to visit as a child. Using paint, found prints, glitter, and sand and drawing inspiration from Google Earth, the artist has represented his identity, family, and personal history.
Quinn Antonio Briceño is a Nicaraguan American artist residing in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2017 from the San Francisco Art Institute. Later, Briceño received his Master of Fine Arts degree in 2022 at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Art. He won the Ann Metzger National Biennial in 2019, was a finalist for the AXA Art Prize in 2021 and has been featured in All the Art, Friend of the Artist, St. Louis Magazine, Design St. Louis, and New American Paintings.
To learn more, visit @qbricenoart / quinnbriceno.com
Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame
Pre-security, Upper Level Ticketing Lounge
Exhibition dates: Now through July 2024
Three masterpieces carefully curated from the Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame have made their way on display in the ticketing hall in Terminal 1. Capturing Fragile Instants by Bruce Burton, Image Re: In Glass by Yuko Suga and Eyez by Peat Wollaeger are just a few in the collection that are drawing in travelers as soon as they enter the door. In each of these works you can see how each artist’s rendition of one of the most loved games in the world, chess, is skillfully crafted in their artistic expression of the chess board and in the chess pieces.
About the organization: The WorldChess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) celebrates one of the world’s best-loved and classic games through vibrant, engaging exhibitions and creative programming. The organization presents exhibitions exploring the game's history and remarkable impact on arts and culture. The WCHOF has featured work by artists Yoko Ono, M.C. Escher, and Victor Vasarely; legendary photographers Harry Benson and Anne Deniau; fashion designers Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and Victor & Rolf; and Saint Louis natives Tom Friedman and Michael Drummond. These unique shows and related programs are designed to appeal to both the chess novice and expert, defying expectations and enhancing knowledge of the game. Additionally, the WCHOF is home to the Guinness World Records' Largest Chess Piece.
To learn more, visit WorldChessHOF.org
Dreamscapes by Allison Sissom
Pre-Security, Terminal 1, Baggage Claim level
Exhibition dates: Now through September 2024
While waiting at baggage claim, check out two digital collages by Allison Sissom. Illuminated in light boxes, these nearly floor-to-ceiling collages weave images from second-hand children’s books and nature photography into impossible dream-like scenes. Inspired by nostalgia for books such as I Spy and Where’s Waldo, each work is accompanied by a list of items that visitors can try to find within the complex compositions. One part storytelling and one part seek-and-find, the resulting collages veer toward the surreal while still appearing seamless, as if they were meant to be.
About the artist:
Allison Sissom is both an artist and educator from St. Louis, Missouri. Her work is informed by memory, emotion, and her experiences as an educator. Sissom works in multiple media disciplines including collage, fibers, paintings and zinemaking. She takes objects that people discard and transforms them into something new.
Sissom’s background as an educator has been very influential in her artmaking journey. She earned her Master of Arts in Education, Visual Arts from Truman State University in 2013. After briefly working in public schools in Austin, Texas, she worked as an art teacher in St. Louis Public Schools for five years where she led a team of educators in a hands-on, interactive STEAM-focused children’s museum. Most recently, Sissom has pivoted to work for the tech education non-profit, LaunchCode.
Through Sissom’s many experiences, she has found several throughlines: the importance of representation and reflection in lived experiences, the necessity of choices and self-direction, and perhaps most importantly, ownership of the learner over their learning. This elevates the learner from positions of submission and obedience to positions of power over themselves, which creates an expression of their own strength, resilience, and beauty.
To learn more, visit: @allisonsissom.
China China by Zhu Wei
Pre-Security, Terminal 1, Ticketing level
China China, a bronze statue by Beijing artist Zhu Wei is on display on the ticketing level of Terminal 1. One of China’s most successful artists, Wei attempts to “show how to modernize the past” through two characters dressed suits commonly associated with Chairman Mao’s rule.
China China is on loan from the Gateway Foundation.