LAX’s first public art festival features artwork by EC graphic design professor, Joyce Dallal, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, by transforming many of its public spaces into art spaces through the end of 2013.

“Influx” features 11 original temporary art installations located throughout LAX on display for the enjoyment of passengers and the public in an attempt to increase the reach of its public art program according to la-confidential-magazine.com.

Dallal’s “Elevate” is open to the public in Terminal 3. “Elevate” surrounds “travelers as they approach security with two bird-like formations of paper airplanes suspended in flight. This visually stunning installation consists of hundreds of colorful and seemingly delicate paper airplanes,” according to lawa.org.

The cranes are covered in words from international treaties and “among these are white paper planes printed with the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” according to lawa.org.

As passengers go by, some are amazed at the artwork hanging in the terminal.

“This is one of the most creative pieces here,” Kathy Avilos, 19, business major, said. “There are a lot of good ones but this one definitely sticks out to the eyes more because of its assimilation effect.”

Dallal started as a graphic designer and over the years, she found her passion in fine art and has always made it a priority to stay engaged in the art community.

“The Cultural Affairs Department of Los Angeles (COLA) is huge if you’re an artist. It’s a well-known organization. Everyone knows about it,” she added. “They award $10,000 to the best 10 pieces out of many applicants. Recognition, exhibition to display and money to create more work is the idea behind this organization (COLA).”

Dallal said she won an award from the city of Los Angeles. One of the curators from LAX saw her work and encouraged her to make a proposal to the airport.

Doing sculpture art in a public space brings a sense of fulfillment and content to Dallal because of the exposure to a larger scale of people as opposed to smaller galleries.

“It’s a much larger audience. People who never really get to go to an art museum get to experience it,” Dallal said. “In the airport, you’re dealing with a different group of people.”

But LAX isn’t the only place to see Dallal’s work.

“I’ve been displaying my artwork in public places for 20 years. Along with two permanent pieces at Fairfax Library in Los Angeles and inside Craftsmarket in San Pedro, I have done a lot of pieces over the years in shopping malls, theater lobbies, and store windows,” Dallal said.

“Elevate” is on display in Terminal 3 at LAX through the end of 2013.