New Coordinator for Orlando International Airport

Vera Walker retired from Orlando International Airport after having coordinated their National Arts Program Art Exhibit for so many wonderful years. We are so grateful that Lindy Shepherd, the Events & Art Collection Coordinator from the Public Affairs department stepped up to coordinate this long running show! She was thrilled to embrace the “Showcasing the Artist Within” theme and ready to infuse some fresh new ideas into their program! This was the 14th Annual Exhibit for the Orlando International Airport in Florida and over 20,000 people were invited to enter their artwork for display in the main terminal. 

 

Lindy noted that many artists shared personal stories when delivering their artwork. For example, there is a multigenerational family of artists who participate every year, and this year included the grandfather, father and two teen sons who both have high-functioning autism and are homeschooled often using art and other methods that involved touch. 

 

On February 12th the exhibit opened and included 157 entries that represented more than 50 departments, agencies and contractors from throughout the Orlando International Airport family. Coordinators often depending on a whole team of support to make their NAP exhibits a success and this year was no different. Lindy said, “it took contributions from co-workers in many other departments to bring this all together, from the carpenters to the IT team, and the shared sense of accomplishment was very gratifying. Watching the response to the exhibition, as both visitors and workers come and walk through and thoughtfully view the art, has been wonderful to witness”.

 

This year was the first for Coordinator Lindy Shepherd but she didn’t let that hold her back from adding so many new elements to the show including; new graphics, extended intake time-frames, online “People’s Choice” voting, and a power-point presentation for the awards ceremony projected in two locations. All her efforts culminated in a wonderful awards ceremony and reception which was held on February 27th and attended by Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO, Phil Brown. Mr. Brown interacted with all the artists and truly expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to showcase the talents within OIA. He also announced all awards and was photographed with each of the winners during the presentation. In addition to the awards, certificates and colored pencil sets for the youth participants, Lindy had custom unlined journals with “2020 Artist” embossed and given out as gifts to all the artists this year! What a nice gift to remember such a joyous, community building event.