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Tampa International Airport Unveils 'Dali On Tour' Exhibit

Dali Museum

'Self-Portrait' is part of the 'Dali on Tour' exhibit at Tampa International Airport.

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2008

The Dali Museum of St. Petersburg this morning opened an exhibition of 15 "Dali on Tour" pieces at the observation deck Tampa International Airport's main terminal.

The exhibit includes informational panels to educate travelers about Salvador Dali and, in particular, stimulate interest among youngsters in interpreting art.

The collection includes Dali's "Self-Portrait" from 1921 and "Hallucinogenic Toreador" from 1969-70.

The display of photo reproductions of works in the Salvador Dali Museum add to the airport's public art program begun in 1998 to enhance the ambience of the terminal, add local elements of interest for travelers, and provide relaxation for airline passengers, airport director Louis Miller said.

"This is a regional attraction," Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said at today's opening of the airport exhibit. "We want to be known as a region of the arts."

The exhibit opened a day before Friday's groundbreaking in St. Petersburg of a new Dali museum just south of Mahaffey Theater. The $35 million, 66,450-square-foot museum, a few blocks north of the current facility, is expected to be completed by fall 2010.

Dali director Hank Hine said the museum is the only one south of Washington and east of Houston to earn the top rating of the Michelin Guide.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817 or tjackovics@tampatrib.com.

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