Take a closer look at the art programs at Ontario International Airport, featuring local artists and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art partnership.

Travel and art both can bring us joy. But if we let them, both can also change us. They can inspire us, help us see life from a different perspective and teach us how wonderfully diverse our world can be while also reminding us just how much we all have in common.

Is it any wonder, then, that art and airports pair so well together?

Passengers waiting for flights at Ontario International Airport can start their journey by getting a taste of the Inland Empire’s thriving art community through the Art @ ONT program.

ONT teamed up in 2018 with Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Ontario to start the program, curating rotating exhibits of high-quality 2D and 3D work by local artists in glasses cases along walkways throughout both terminals. The volunteer-run organization known as CCMA has now helped more than 100 artists exhibit their creations at the airport, with a queue of artists waiting to show off their work at ONT.

“One of the most meaningful moments in my art journey has been having my pieces displayed at Ontario International Airport,” said Erika Villegas, a visual artist from Riverside whose work went on display in Terminal 2 in summer 2025. “I feel so proud and honored to share my work with people from all walks of life.” 

Building the ONT Art Program

When Ontario and San Bernardino County regained local control of their airport in 2016, two dozen large glass display cases in the terminals had been empty for some time. So the newly formed Ontario International Airport Authority started looking for a partner to adopt those 24 glass cases and use them to bring work by local artists to passengers at ONT.

With its museum located on Lemon Avenue in the Ontario Arts District and local history that dates back to 1941, CCMA was a logical choice for this partnership.

The organization has always been dependent on volunteers and donations to operate, according to Nancy DeDiemar, Community Liaison for CCMA. The contract with ONT now provides a third of the museum’s operating budget, which means the partnership with ONT is helping to bring art to people of the Greater Ontario region along with the passengers coming through the airport.

For CCMA, Nancy said a key goal of the ONT terminal art displays is to bust the myth that the Inland Empire is a “cultural wasteland."

“We really, really want the people who travel in and out of Ontario International Airport to know how rich the art community is in this region," she said.

For ONT, the program is one more way to upgrade the passenger experience, using public art to make the airport a welcoming, entertaining, vibrant space. The art displays also connect visitors to the region through the work of local artists, while supporting those artists, CCMA and the community at large.

How Art @ ONT Works

To get a steady rotation of artwork in the airport, so the more than 7 million passengers who travel through ONT each year can see something new each time they visit, CCMA markets the program to artist associations and other outlets throughout Southern California.

Interested artists apply online and submit samples of their work. A panel at CCMA reviews the submissions to assure quality and appropriate subject matter, then they add qualifying artists to the schedule. And Nancy said interest has remained strong because of the opportunity the program provides for artists to gain exposure for their work.

When it’s time for art to go in the cases, the museum’s team meets with the artists to plan the display. If the work is particularly delicate, the artist might join the CCMA team in the terminals for the installation. Otherwise, the museum team will send the artist a picture to make sure the work is displayed in line with their vision.

Regularly rotating exhibits helps ensure the displays stay fresh and reflective of the Inland Empire community.

Many of these exhibits are in glass cases along terminal walkways, including displays featuring historic items from ONT’s history. But don’t forget to look up, since some art also soars far above in the terminals!

An Artist’s View: Local Creators Share Their ONT Experience

For Erika, who displayed her works “Sacred Garden” and “Pajarito Colibri” at ONT, she said her love for art started when she was a kid, just sketching and drawing for fun.

“Over the years, that early creativity grew into something much deeper — a way for me to express who I am and where I come from,” she said.

Erika's work is heavily inspired by her Indigenous background and Mexican heritage. She also finds inspiration in nature, she said, “especially during walks where I can take in the colors, shapes and energy around me.” She loves to use bright, bold colors, with fluorescent acrylics her favorite medium. But she also works with watercolors, oil markers and spray paints to bring a playful and expressive feeling to her pieces.

“As a special needs mom, my time is often limited, so I create when I can — whether it's in my little home studio or outside in a quiet spot,” Erika said. “Painting has become a form of meditation for me, a way to stay centered and connected. It brings me peace, and I try to pass that feeling on through my work.”

Some exhibiting artists have used the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program to bring family and friends to see the work on display in the terminals, past security check points without boarding passes. A handful of artists have even sold work thanks to connections made through their exhibits at ONT!

For Nancy, a highlight of working on the Art @ ONT program has been getting to interact with passengers about the art in the terminals when they are installing or taking down the exhibits. Many ask questions about the program and share stories about their own connections to the subject matter. She said the 3D art, such as sculptures and ceramics, have been particularly popular.

That’s the sort of moment Erika hopes passengers have when they come across her work.

“I hope that when travelers see my art, they feel a little bit of joy, clarity and cultural connection — something bright to carry with them.”

ONT’s Commitment to Local Art and Community

Looking forward, Nancy said she’s excited to see how the Art @ ONT program will grow and what other opportunities the partnership might bring. Her team is always looking for new artists, with applications available through flyOntario.com.

Nancy also encourages people visiting Ontario and folks who live locally to stop by CCMA and the city's Ontario Museum of History & Art, which is located across the street, to learn more about this area’s rich cultural history and some of the great artists living and working in this area today.

ONT is committed to supporting the local arts community and to use the Art @ ONT program to enhance the airport experience for all travelers. So next time you’re flying through ONT, take a moment to pause and enjoy the artwork as a part of your journey!