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Public criticizes John Wayne Airport exhibit; supervisors ask for review after removal
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Summary
Multiple speakers told the Orange County Board that an exhibit at John Wayne Airport titled “Perceiving the Divine” contained works whose titles and content offended faith communities and Black residents; the board said the exhibit was removed in December and asked staff for a report on how it was approved and displayed for months.
Several members of the public urged the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 to investigate an art exhibit at John Wayne Airport that critics said was offensive to people of faith and to Black travelers. Speakers said the exhibit’s titles and imagery conveyed sexualized or blasphemous language and that the pieces remained on display for about four months before removal.
Brenda Lebsack (speaker 19), who identified herself as founder of an interfaith coalition and a Santa Ana Unified School District board member, said she visited the airport gallery and found pieces and titles she considered deeply disturbing. She quoted the exhibit title and accused the airport of presenting “publicly funded spaces” that "desecrate religious belief." Tamiko Anderson (speaker 21) and Bishop Gail Oliver (speaker 17) also said the display humiliated Black and faith-based communities and asked for accountability and a public apology.
Board members said they were surprised by the exhibit and promised follow-up. Vice Chair Foley (speaker 5) said he had not seen the materials and that he would be speaking with the airport director and the art commission; staff confirmed the pieces were taken down on Dec. 5. Supervisor Wagner said his office believed the art commission had not formally approved the exhibit and that the removal process and oversight needed review. Chair Chaffee asked staff to report back to the board about how the artwork was approved and displayed.
Outcome: No formal vote was recorded. The board requested a staff report explaining how the exhibit came to be displayed and what steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Why it matters: The complaint came from faith and interfaith leaders and raised questions about vetting processes for artwork in publicly funded spaces that serve a diverse traveling public. Board members described a need for clearer approval and oversight processes at the airport.
Next steps: Supervisors asked for a staff report on how the exhibit was approved and who authorized placement and removal.