BATON ROUGE, La (BRPROUD) – Many of us know what it’s like to look out a plane window and see the world thousands of miles below kind of looks like a painting.
But a new installation at our airport brings some artistic flair for travelers once they’ve landed.
A retired cigarette machine carries works from dozens of artists ready to welcome travelers to Baton Rouge.
This installation is called an Art-O-Mat, and its new home is in the Baton Rouge Metro Airport at Terminal B.
“What we have today is the very first art-o-mat ever in any airport throughout the country which is a real treat for us,” said Jason Anderson for the Baton Rouge Gallery.
For five dollars, you get to choose a piece of artwork from dozens of creators. Anything from paintings of planes, cats and scenery. You won’t know what the piece will look like until after it shoots out of the machine, but the surprise is half the fun.
Visit Baton Rouge President and CEO Jill Kidder said 7.2 million people visited Baton Rouge last year, many of which came through the Baton Rouge Metro Airport.
“Obviously tourism is a vital part of our economy and so is art and that’s why we are here today, said Kidder.
In 2021, the Baton Rouge Gallery space opened inside the old smoking room at the airport.
“Since then more than 21,000 visitors have come through this doorway to engage with local art,” said Anderson.
“And now this new Art-O-Mat installation is giving travelers the opportunity to enjoy art just minutes after they get off the plane,” said Kidder.
“It is a real treat for us to welcome guests to Baton Rouge this way,” Anderson continued.
If you’re not in the airport, there is a second Art-O-Mat in the Baton Rouge Gallery at City Park.
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