Stunning Smithsonian photographs featured at airport museum in College Park, MD

Airport towers are easy to take for granted as millions of people jet across the United States and the globe. These towers; however, are fundamental for safe airport operations as air traffic controllers choreograph the dance of aircraft taxing, departing and arriving. The architectural design of modern towers often reflects their importance as a symbol of the local community and culture. The public is invited to experience the beauty and design of airport towers in "Art of the Airport Tower,” an exhibition that is on view through March 10, 2017 at the College Park Aviation Museum which is located at the College Park Airport, the oldest continuously operating airport on the planet. The exhibition is composed of 50 large scale photographs by Smithsonian photographer Carolyn J. Russo and explores the forms and functions of airport traffic control towers in the U.S. and around the world.

Russo traveled to 85 airports in 23 countries to capture images of these towers. The resulting photos capture them as monumental abstractions, symbols of cultural expressions and testimonials of technological change. Museum visitors will find local towers from Reagan Washington National and Dulles represented in the exhibit as well as other popular East Coast airports; however, Russo’s photographic eye captures these towers in ways that visitors may not readily identify. The public is invited to build their own “tower” in the hands-on component of the exhibit and folks always need to keep an ear and an eye out for planes and helicopters taking off or landing at the airport!

The traveling exhibition is sponsored by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Air Traffic Control Association, Harris Corp., Rockwell Collins, Saab and Thales. Epson America Inc. and Manfrotto provided in-kind support.

The College Park Aviation Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliations member, is owned and operated by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) which also owns the College Park Airport, the oldest continuously operating airport in the world. The museum and gift shop are open daily from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission: $5/adults; $4/seniors (60 and over); $2/children (2-17) and children under 2 are free. To learn more, visit: http://CollegeParkAviationMuseum.com or call 301-864-6029 or visit the College Park Aviation Museum and the Field of Firsts Foundation’s page on Facebook.