Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is launching a new chapter in the airport experience with the debut of Art@PSP, the airport’s new public art program designed to reflect the culture, creativity, and identity of the Coachella Valley.
The program debuts with Desert in Motion by Riverside County artist Patrick Barwinski, a large-scale installation transforming 14 baggage claim columns into a visual journey through the region.
Inspired by the Coachella Valley’s architecture, palm-lined settings, and dramatic desert landscapes, the artwork uses geometric forms and vivid colors to create an immersive arrival experience rooted in the unique character of Palm Springs.
The exhibition will be on display from June 2026 through January 2027 as part of PSP’s rotating Baggage Claim Columns exhibition series.
“PSP is often visitors’ very first impression of our destination and a welcoming return home for our residents,” said Victoria Carpenter, Interim Executive Director of Aviation at Palm Springs International Airport. “Art@PSP allows us to showcase the incredible creativity and cultural identity of our region while creating a more memorable airport experience for travelers.”
“For years, there has been a shared vision of bringing more art into the airport,” said Kevin J. Corcoran, Chairman of the Palm Springs Airport Commission. “With Art@PSP, that vision is becoming a reality, connecting millions of travelers each year with the culture, creativity, and character that make Palm Springs unique.”
Art@PSP represents the airport’s first dedicated airport-led public art initiative and establishes a new framework for rotating installations throughout the airport.
Desert in Motion was selected through a competitive open call that attracted more than 270 artist submissions. Finalists were reviewed by a working group that included members of the Airport Commission, Public Arts Commission, and airport leadership.
Additional Art@PSP installations and collaborations are expected in the future as the airport continues expanding the program, including future murals and additional rotating exhibits throughout the terminal.
