The EIA is now Artsier!

January 31, 2012 - Carol McBee

As many of you know, I was chosen to be an Edmonton Journal Bridge Reporter and do a behind the scenes press tour of the new U.S. Terminal at the Edmonton International Airport. I was lucky to be alongside @jamie_post @feliciadewar and @juliabug. We had a great time wondering, tweeting, snapping iphone pictures and interviewing passengers. Here is the Bridge Report that I wrote for the Journal - it had to be short & sweet. Enjoy!

Here is a riddle for you – what is as long as eight Canadian football fields, has six moving sidewalks, a 30-foot mosaic tile mural, reclining chairs with power & USB plugs and handsome security personnel? You guessed it - the BRAND NEW U.S. Terminal at the Edmonton International Airport.

I had the pleasure of doing a press tour of the gorgeous new facility along with 1400 volunteer ‘passengers’ to test the systems and procedures before officially opening to the public on February 11.

EIA is certainly now artsier; one of the most unique additions to the airport is the Arts District Corridor. Between the security and U.S. Customs, passengers are greeted by a majestic double sided film print on glass titled “Old Man Mountain with Great Mother Bear” by local, Edmonton artist Jason Carter. It is a breathtaking image of the actual mountain in Jasper National Park and an impressive 16 long.

Art displays featuring the flagship Edmonton Arts organizations such as the Edmonton Opera, Alberta Ballet, ESO, Citadel and AGA showcase artifacts from each. Certainly the most distinctive and functional art piece amongst the five large scale collection is by Karim Rashid of New York City. “Kopperscape” is a functional fibreglass sculpture that is not only pleasing to the eye, but also serves as a seating including chairs, benches and side tables. The pretty bronze color suggests the iconic Canadian Penny.

The expansion will not only expedite travel to the U.S., it will make it easier, more pleasurable and certainly brings the EIA into the big leagues. Well done!

The new walk-through duty free shop