Dec. 23, 2024

Travelers using the new parking ramp entrance to the Sioux Falls Regional Airport now will be surrounded by local scenery.

Photographer Paul Schiller, owner of Acts of Nature, installed multiple images of downtown Sioux Falls and Falls Park in the attached entry between the ramp and the main terminal.

“The location in the airport is one of the best in Sioux Falls to showcase our city to guests and visitors. Thousands of visitors will pass by the new images every year,” he said.

“We have worked hard over the years to dispel the myth that we are dull, flat and boring and unappealing. We are a city on the grow. We have visuals to prove it. An airport is always a major introduction to anyone visiting — let’s not disappoint them.”

Schiller worked with Michelle Klobassa at TSP, which designed the ramp, airport management and Eric Ellefson of Click Rain who serves on the Sioux Falls Airport Authority.

In considering which images to use, he went with ones that were long-lasting of the Falls and Arc of Dreams.

“River Splendor” is 42 feet long and 20 feet high, and “Framing a City” is 12 feet by 12 feet.

“From experience, people will want to know where that scene is,” Schiller said. “I have witnessed many airports around the world, and they showcase their unique features of their city effectively. There’s a reason. And, we now have prime space to do that.”

Feedback has been encouraging, he said, adding that he’s now working on identifying information to be included with the work.

“What I hope this project does is show Sioux Falls government and hospitality leadership the impact strong, large visuals in key facilities locations can make very positive impressions of our growing region,” Schiller said.

“They need to start budgeting for this during the planning process of building designs and not at the end of projects to be effective. I’m hopeful the airport’s Sioux Falls images will help influence future planning throughout the city.”

He added he’s hopeful that if the airport concourse expands as planned, local art also will be included, in addition to the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

“Walk through the Convention Center and you’ll see just two Sioux Falls visuals. One is the Arc and one is the Falls. They’re mine, but different from the airport. We have thousands of residents and visitors going through that center every year, and we need to impress. We have a long way to go there too,” he said. “Just know that I want my art to start a conversation.”