Artwork Partnership With Columbia Metropolitain Airport

COLUMBIA, SC — Airport travellers will soon see an extensive collection of artwork created by Richland Northeast High School students. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is partnering with Richland School District Two and Richland Northeast to showcase student art. The collection includes abstract, baroque, contemporary, Papier-mâché, ceramics and more. An unveiling ceremony will take place Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 a.m. during a breakfast meeting for the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

Richland Northeast art teacher Mary Catherine Newman says this partnership will expose her students’ talents to people from all over the world.

“We are so happy to be the first school in the state to collaborate with the airport to highlight the tremendous creativity and skills that our students possess. I understand about 1,500 people visit the airport daily and we couldn’t be more pleased knowing that each of them could potentially see our masterpieces,” said Newman.

Airport spokeswoman Lynne Douglas says the timing was perfect to form this partnership.

“Richland Northeast reached out to us at a time when we were considering ways to expand our art program to specifically include student art. We were amazed to see the level of creativity by students that was presented to us,” said Douglas.

The art exhibit is in the upper level of the terminal. Travellers can view it as they head to the passenger gate and baggage claim areas. The collection will be on display through Labor Day. Richland Northeast High School is an International Baccalaureate World School and home to the Palmetto Center for the Arts.