Denver Artist “Detour” Will Bring His Vision to Life Through Artwork at Denver International Airport

DENVER – Oct. 25, 2022 – New artwork is headed to Denver International Airport (DEN), and it’s more creative and eye-catching than ever. Denver artist Thomas “Detour” Evans’ sculpture, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” has been selected by a panel of community representatives, arts and culture professionals, and civic leaders for DEN’s Concourse B-East expansion site.

“The Gate Expansion Program is not only bringing 39 new gates to DEN, increasing overall capacity at the airport by 30%, but it’s also bringing new, energizing artwork to the new spaces,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “We’re delighted that Denver artist Detour was selected to bring color and imagination into Concourse B.”

Detour’s artwork is inspired by the idea that life is always in perpetual motion with our luggage carrying the items we hold dear. The sculpture will highlight the diverse community of Denver and surrounding areas through a companion website archiving each piece of up-cycled Colorado luggage as well as the neighborhood and history of the individual it came from. The artwork will be approximately 30 feet long x 20 feet wide x 10 feet high and will suspend from the concourse ceiling, welcoming and bidding farewell to passengers.

“I am proud that millions of travelers will discover this piece during their time at the airport,” said artist Thomas “Detour” Evans, “By using Colorado luggage, the work is an open invitation to learn about each other. I wanted the work to strike a common chord amongst all travelers regardless of background. I hope that once installed, the work gives travelers an opportunity to feel more connected with each other as we are all figuring out this thing called life.”

Detour’s sculpture on B-East will be completed and available for passengers to enjoy by 2025. Three additional public artworks will be integrated into the A-West, B-West and C-East expansions – these selections will be announced at a later date.

The budget for the artwork is $450,000. Funding for this project comes from the City’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance designated by the Gate Expansion Program’s construction budget at DEN. No taxpayer dollars are used for any artwork at DEN. Learn more about the Gate Expansion Program here.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

Thomas “Detour” Evans, is an all-around creative artist specializing in large-scale public art, interactive visuals, portraiture, immersive spaces, and creative directing. His focus is to create work where art and innovation meet. A born collaborator and “military brat,” Detour pulls from every conceivable experience that shapes his landscape and perspectives. Explaining Detour’s work is no easy task, as ongoing experimentations in visual art, music, and interactive technologies have his practice continually expanding. With his ever-evolving approach to art, “Detour’s” focus is on expanding customary views of creativity and challenging fine art paradigms by mixing traditional mediums with new approaches. All the while opening up the creative process from that of a singular artist, to one that thrives on multi-layered collaboration and viewer participation. Learn more at iamdetour.com, instagram.com/detour303

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