The Santa Barbara Airport is seeking artists to contribute their work to a new terminal structure.

The “Call for Artists” program is pursuing artisans for three categories: creating wrought iron embellishments for interior railings, stenciling wooden ceiling beams and designing and installing a floor medallion in the rotunda of the terminal’s north entrance. In addition to incorporating new artwork, the SBA Public Art Program will integrate existing pieces of art from the community and add a rotating gallery so artists can showcase their work at the airport.

Santa Barbara Arts Commission’s visual arts coordinator Rita Ferri said the artwork displayed in the terminal is an important part of the traveling experience for visitors.

“Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a rainbow on a rainy day or experienced one of our amazing Santa Barbara sunsets? Art has the power to do the same,” Ferri said. “Today traveling can be stressful and art that engages you — whether it is colorful, intricate, enigmatic, or historic — is time that you are engaged and enjoying yourself. Although the airport’s main goal is transporting people quickly and safely, the other goal is to make it as pleasant for you as circumstances allow.”

The art will be viewed by over 2,000 people per day, Ferri said, and the program provides artists with the chance for publicity and networking in the community.

“It opens up new worlds of opportunities for everyone,” Ferri said.

The Public Arts Program is a part of the $32 million Airline Terminal Project taking place at the Santa Barbara Airport. Over the next two years, the local airport will build a new terminal complex to address current issues with airlines’ operations, efficiency, long lines and overcrowding.

Airline Terminal Project engineer Leif Reynolds said the construction plans include salvaging a terminal that was built almost 70 years ago.

“In regards to the relocation of the 1942 historical terminal, 14,380 square feet of past additions will be demolished and various historic finishes — such as clay tile roofing and windows — will be salvaged,” Reynolds said. “The remaining core 5,620-square-foot building will then be relocated and reconstructed a short distance from where it stands today. It will serve the functions of e-ticketing, a security operations center and miscellaneous administrative functions.”

Reynolds also noted that the new terminal would receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver rating for sustainable building. The site will receive this rating for implementing a storm water management plan, water efficiency that includes the reduction of potable water consumption, energy savings and a variety of indoor environmental quality measures.