The Miami International Airport exhibition features 13 large-scale installations from The Underline’s first five miles, highlighting South Florida’s artistic talent and cultural diversity
Travelers passing through Miami International Airport (MIA) can now experience a preview of one of Miami-Dade County’s most ambitious public art initiatives without leaving the airport. A new exhibition, The Underline: A Canvas for the Community, showcases 13 large-scale public art installations from the first five miles of The Underline, the 10-mile linear park and urban trail developed beneath Miami-Dade County’s Metrorail system.
The exhibition officially opened November 4, bringing together county leaders, arts representatives and airport officials to celebrate the connection between transportation, public spaces and cultural expression. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, The Underline CEO Eulois Cleckley and Friends of The Underline Public Art Curator Rina Gitlin joined MIA Director and CEO Ralph Cutié for the opening reception.
Located at MIA’s Connecting Communities Wall near Door 11 on the arrivals level, the exhibition will remain on display through May 2, 2027. Its location gives international visitors, returning residents and local travelers an opportunity to discover artwork that is transforming public spaces throughout Miami-Dade County.
The collection features local, national and international artists at different stages of their careers. By bringing these works into the airport, the exhibition extends the reach of The Underline's public art program and introduces travelers to a cultural destination that connects neighborhoods through art, nature and community activities.
The Underline Transforms Transportation Corridors into Public Art Spaces
The Underline is a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and public gathering space built beneath Miami-Dade County’s Metrorail. What was once largely underutilized land beneath the elevated transit system is being reimagined as a space where residents and visitors can experience nature, recreation, cultural programming and public art.
The project is being developed in collaboration with Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Art in Public Places program. Its public art collection includes both permanent commissions and newer temporary installations.
The artists represented in the exhibition include Alexandre Arrechea, Pablo Atchugarry, Jennifer Basile, April Bey, Cara Despain, Jeppe Hein, Edny Jean Josep, Bony Ramirez, Gio Swaby, Athena Tacha, Hank Willis Thomas, Typoe and Estudio LAAVA, and We are Nice’n Easy.
Permanent artworks along The Underline are part of the Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places collection. The program is supported by the Art in Public Places Trust, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County mayor and the Board of County Commissioners.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava described the initiative as an opportunity to make everyday travel more meaningful by incorporating art into the public environment.
The mayor said the program reflects the county’s diversity, innovation and cultural vibrancy, adding that the exhibition will allow visitors from around the world to see some of the artwork while traveling through MIA.
The airport exhibition also provides an introduction to the artists and installations that visitors can experience along The Underline itself. Rather than limiting the artwork to a single gallery or traditional museum setting, the initiative places creative works in spaces used by commuters, pedestrians, cyclists and neighborhood residents.
MIA Exhibition Connects International Visitors with Miami’s Cultural Identity
The partnership between MIA and The Underline expands the audience for Miami-Dade's public art initiatives. As an international gateway, the airport offers an opportunity to introduce the region's artistic identity to visitors before they explore the surrounding communities.
Cleckley said the airport provides an important platform for presenting The Underline's cultural experience to travelers from around the world. He also emphasized that the exhibition gives residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about the artwork along the 10-mile corridor and discover The Underline as a cultural destination.
Friends of The Underline, the nonprofit organization responsible for the development, activation and stewardship of the project, supports the park's ongoing programming. The organization describes The Underline as a public-private partnership with support from Miami-Dade County and the cities of Miami, Coral Gables and South Miami.
The corridor stretches from the Miami River in Brickell to the Dadeland South Metrorail Station in Kendall. Beyond its public art installations, The Underline offers more than 200 free programs annually, including activities centered on nature, music, wellness and community engagement.
MIA Galleries, which began in 1996, manages the airport's exhibitions through its Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Division. Its mission is to enhance the passenger experience by presenting artwork that reflects the cultural diversity, creativity and artistic resources of South Florida.
The new exhibition also complements MIA's broader role as an economic and cultural gateway. The airport is undergoing a reported $14 billion investment in capital improvements and maintenance upgrades, while continuing to serve as a major connection point for international travel, particularly to Latin America and the Caribbean.
For Miami-Dade residents, the exhibition represents more than an airport display. It highlights how public investment, partnerships and creative programming can turn transportation infrastructure into places that encourage community interaction and cultural discovery.
Travelers can visit The Underline: A Canvas for the Community at the Connecting Communities Wall near Door 11 on the arrivals level through May 2, 2027. Those interested in exploring the complete public art experience can also learn more about the park, its installations and programming at TheUnderline.org.
The exhibition reinforces Miami-Dade's commitment to making art accessible beyond traditional cultural institutions, bringing local creativity into everyday spaces and sharing the region's artistic identity with a global audience.
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