LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) WITH TERMINAL ART EXHIBIT

(Los Angeles, California – September 3, 2010)  Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in partnership with the Department on Disability and Department of Cultural Affairs commemorates the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), with a new art exhibit of paintings and mixed media artworks by 18 Southern California artists living with disabilities on display at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the Connector Hall between Terminals 2 and 3 on the Upper/Departures Level.  The free exhibit will be on display through November 3, 2010.

Featuring 23 artworks selected through a juried open competition, the exhibit presents skilled artists working with local non-profit organizations such as the Tierra del Sol Foundation, FirstStreetGalleryArtCenter, Arts & Services for Disabled Inc. and the Braille Institute.  These organizations empower individuals to overcome impairments by providing educational, social, and recreational programs, including art workshops to promote artistic proficiency and personal expression.

Exhibiting artists include Franklyn Burns, Mari Cardenas, Noah Erenberg, Rebecca Guerra, Sarit Halo, Tommy Hollenstein, Trina Kirkman, Douglas Larsen, Cristina Mariotta, Dru McKenzie, Amber Nething, Hae Sung Pak, Harold Sakamoto, Ngay Ta, John Valles, Isabel Diana Vartanian, Guy Wonder and Esther Zabin.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a landmark and historic civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities.  President George H. W. Bush signed the Act on July 26, 1990.

            The purpose of the Airport Arts Exhibition Program at LAX and LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), is to educate and entertain the traveling public, while emphasizing a cultural experience highlighting what makes Los Angeles memorable and interesting. Exhibits may be historic, popular, artistic, or graphic design in nature and may arise from museums, fine art, archives, environment, or other fields. Exhibitions can be found on display in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, and Terminals 2 and 4 at LA/Ontario.

For more information visit the LAX website at www.lawa.org