The award-winning Houston Airports Artist in Residence (AIR) program, a unique initiative fostering connections between local artists and passengers, welcomes Wayne J Bell as the newest resident artist at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The program, launched in September 2022, has quickly become a passenger favorite, transforming the IAH and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) terminals into vibrant artistic spaces.

Passengers traveling through Bush Airport can expect to see Bell set up his easel and workstation in the Terminal A Connector Gallery. For the next three months, Bell will be creating new works of art right before the eyes of the traveling public, offering a unique opportunity to witness the creative process firsthand.

Wayne’s large-scale paintings are a series of gestural brush strokes that coalesce to create an abstract landscape or atmosphere. 

“My work is heavily characterized by a term I’ve dubbed ‘Atmospherism’ as space, time and setting are the most influential components of the process when work is being developed.” Said Bell.

Bell, an up-and-coming artist, with a solo show scheduled for later this year, was a perfect candidate for the AIR program. His dedication to painting and rising star status are among the reasons Alton DuLaney, Curator of Public Art for Houston Airports, selected the Houston painter for the Artist in Residence program. 

“The exposure and crowds available to these local artists are tremendous,” said DuLaney. “On average, more than one million passengers per week visited Houston’s airports in 2023. That’s more visitors than most museums welcome in a year!”

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Houston Airports provides resident artists an easel, workstation and a monthly stipend to cover art supplies. At the conclusion of their residency, artists retain ownership of their creations, although they are asked to loan one piece to Houston Airports for display.

“We are delighted to welcome Wayne J Bell to the Houston Airports Artist in Residence program,” said Liliana Rambo, Chief Terminal Management Officer for Houston Airports. “This program is all about fostering a sense of place and enriching the passenger experience, and we are confident that Wayne’s artistic talents will do just that.”

Of the work created in the midst of a bustling airport, Bell shared his hope for the unique experience, “This will benefit not only the minds of young artists by encouraging their freedom and ingenuity, but it could also inform and include those who may be unfamiliar with the school of abstract expressionism as conveyed through my oil painting.”

The Artist in Residence program is one of the only of its kind in the aviation industry. Recognizing the appreciation passengers showed for previous art installations, the program was designed to create a more interactive and engaging experience. It contributed to Houston Airports being named World’s Best Airport Art Program in 2023 and recently again in 2024.