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Rapid City Regional Airport has launched a new exhibition, "The Science at SURF: Images from the Underground, Lead, SD," showcasing a stunning collection of photographs captured at SURF.
Photo by Megan Johnson

Rapid City Regional Airport is proud to announce the launch of a new temporary art exhibition, "The Science at SURF: Images from the Underground, Lead, SD," showcasing a stunning collection of photographs captured within the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). This display, aimed at merging science with art, offers travelers and visitors an extraordinary glimpse into the visual beauty contained within the world class science occurring at SURF.

"We are proud to bring the work of the Sanford Underground Research Facility to a wider audience at the airport," said Patrick Dame, Executive Director of Rapid City Regional Airport. "This show highlights the incredible scientific endeavors happening right here in the Black Hills."

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the exhibit aims to promote local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives, fostering an appreciation for scientific exploration and discovery in western South Dakota.

“We’re delighted the Rapid City Regional Airport chose to showcase these images from SURF and we hope they serve to inspire the creative thinking that advances world class scientific research in the Black Hills and around the globe,” said Mike Headley, the executive director for the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and the laboratory director at SURF.

The images on display were captured by SURF photographers Matthew Kapust and Stephen Kenny. They will be showcased at Rapid City Regional Airport starting in March 2024. We invite travelers passing through the airport to pause and immerse themselves in the inspiring world of underground science.

A shot of a researcher in clean room garb working in a lab -- while looking up inbetween a large array of photomultiplyer tubes.
One of many images in the new show, "The Science at SURF: Images from the Underground, Lead, SD" now up at the Rapid City Regional Airport shows a researcher at work on the installation of the LUX-ZEPLIN, a next generation dark matter experiment, at SURF. — Photo by Matthew Kapust