Denver International Airport’s newest piece of art, “Luminous Wind,” was dedicated Saturday morning to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.

Peña, who was mayor from 1983 to 1991 and later was Secretary of Energy and Transportation during the Clinton administration during the mid to late 1990s.

He played a vital role in building the airport that opened in 1995. 

“He not only built an airport with room to grow, but he prepared us for the future and created an economic engine that provides more than $33.5 billion a year to our economy,” said Phil Washington, the CEO of DIA. “His contributions have a lasting impact and it is an honor to dedicate this sculpture to such an amazing leader and member of our community.”

The 27-foot sculpture is part of the city’s public art collection and is located along East 61st Avenue and Peña Boulevard. It was created by artists Laura Haddad and Thomas Drugan and was inspired by the former mayor’s contributions to Denver’s public art program and the airport, according to the release. 

“The artwork fuses so many inspirations from Federico Pe?a’s incredible vision and legacy to the beautiful sky and landscape and integration of smart city technologies,” said Drugan and Haddad in a release. 

Luminous Wind was commissioned for $350,000 by the City and County of Denver Department of Aviation, in collaboration with the Aviation Station North Metropolitan District and Fulenwider at Peña Station NEXT.

It was funded through the city’s public art ordinance, which directs 1% of any capital improvement project over $1 million performed by the city to be set aside for the inclusion of art. 

Luminous Winds was built using environmentally activate materials and features 952 prismatic clear acrylic rods within the piece that reflect and refract sunlight during the day and radiate out from a stainless steel sphere on top of the columns. 

At night the 27-foot sculpture will be illuminated by color-changing LED nodes that result in a mosaic of shifting light colors, according to the release. 

“I thank Denver International Airport, Mayor Hancock and the talented artists for the spectacular sculpture that reflects many aspects of my public service career,” Peña said. “I also thank the thousands of citizens who supported my public arts program and who imagined one of the great airports in the world.”

Travelers and non-travelers alike can see the newest piece of public art while riding the RTD A-Line train, or by driving along Peña Boulevard.