Christy Kinard’s Artwork Is Headed to Hilton Head Island Airport’s New Terminal

A Place That Shaped Me

I’m thrilled to share that my mixed-media piece Focused Precision was selected as the winning artwork for Hilton Head Island Airport’s new terminal. It will be reproduced on vinyl and installed on a prominent 16-foot by 28-foot glass wall inside the terminal—welcoming travelers for years to come.

“Seeing my work welcome visitors to Hilton Head feels like bringing my childhood memories home.”

Growing up, I spent every summer in Sea Pines surrounded by coastal light, marsh grasses, and the gentle rhythm of the tides. Later, I brought my own children there to give them that same Lowcountry experience. Seeing my work now become part of Hilton Head’s landscape feels like bringing those memories full circle.

What Inspired Focused Precision?

I first learned about the airport’s call for artwork from a fellow art friend. The moment I heard, I knew I wanted to submit something that captured the heart of Hilton Head—the peace, precision, and beauty that define the island.

“The heron reminded me of an airplane in flight—graceful, powerful, and sure of its direction.”

The heron became my focus. I used to sit on the porch and watch great blue herons take flight. They’re enormous birds, yet their movements are silent, intentional, and exact. Watching them rise into the air reminded me of airplanes taking off—graceful, powerful, and sure of their direction. That image became the essence of Focused Precision.

The airport also asked artists to incorporate a recognizable landmark, so I included the Sea Pines Lighthouse. As a little girl, I climbed that lighthouse nearly every day to look out toward Tybee Island and the surrounding waters—always stopping for ice cream afterward. Those childhood adventures are layered into this piece, both literally and emotionally.

How Was the Artwork Selected?

The Airport’s Ad Hoc Artwork Selection Committee—made up of local artists, community leaders, and art enthusiasts—reviewed 229 submissions from over 100 artists. They evaluated each work for artistic excellence, relevance to the terminal, and ability to represent Hilton Head Island on a large scale.

“When I found out my piece had been chosen, I cried. Hilton Head has always been my heart’s home.”

Why This Project Feels Personal

This project is more than a commission—it’s deeply personal. Some of my best memories are of Hilton Head: fishing with my dad, biking to Harbor Town, sitting on the sand with my cousins and grandparents. It’s also a place I returned to later in life to heal. For me, Hilton Head represents rest, renewal, and peace.

“Hilton Head is where I found peace—and where I returned to heal. I want travelers to feel that same sense of calm.”

That’s what I hope Focused Precision conveys to others—a feeling of calm, hope, and unity. I want people arriving here to feel welcomed, to sense that they’ve reached a place of beauty and belonging.

What Does It Mean to Create for Public Spaces?

Having my work in a public space is a dream come true. When collectors bring my paintings into their homes, it’s always an honor—but public art reaches people on an entirely different level.
It allows me to share my message of joy, beauty, and togetherness with thousands of travelers who may never have seen my work otherwise.

“I’m ready to play big. My art has always been about connection—and now it has the chance to connect with the world.”

I’m excited to pursue more opportunities like this—projects that make art accessible to everyone and that help transform shared spaces into moments of reflection and inspiration. I’m ready to play big. My art has always been about connection, and now it has the chance to connect with the world.

About the Artist

My signature mixed-media style blends layers of paint, paper, and fabric into expressive floral abstractions. I use flowers and pattern as symbolic language—exploring beauty, strength, memory, and Southern identity.

“My work celebrates beauty, strength, and memory—woven together through the textures of Southern life.”

My paintings live with collectors and institutions including Mary Ellen Imlay (Imlay Foundation), Emily Giffin, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, IBM, and SPANX. I sold my first works to IBM at 18, studied at SCAD and the Atlanta College of Art, and later lived and painted in England before establishing my Charleston studio. Today, I collaborate with interior designers and collectors across the Southeast.

About the Hilton Head Airport Terminal Project

The new terminal at Hilton Head Island Airport includes expanded gate areas, a modern TSA checkpoint, and upgraded facilities that enhance both capacity and a sense of place.

The broader project is part of Phase I of the Terminal Improvements.
Hilton Head Island Airport Project Overview
Design and construction are being carried out by Edison Foard in partnership with The Wilson Group.
Edison Foard Project Page

Quick Facts

• Title: Focused Precision
• Location: 16×28-foot glass wall inside Hilton Head Island Airport’s new terminal
• Artists Considered: 229 submissions from over 100 artists
• Themes: Precision, peace, unity, and the beauty of the Lowcountry

www.christykinard.com  |  @christykinard