John Maggiora’s artistic journey began in Redmond, where as a sophomore at Redmond Proficiency Academy he designed the city’s centennial mural—an experience that set him on a path toward a career in design, animation, and art direction. After years working on major creative projects in Seattle and Portland, he returned home to Central Oregon, where he now creates murals throughout the community that shaped him.
“My first mural was painted as a student of RPA right here in Redmond for the city’s centennial project back in 2010. That experience launched my trajectory as both the artist and designer I am today. Being selected to contribute a permanent work to this airport expansion and this town that I love, feels like a full circle moment – one I couldn’t have imagined back then. This community has raised and shaped me, and The Waking Land is my way of giving something lasting back to it.”
His proposal, “The Waking Land,” reflects this deep connection to place. Inspired by the living landscapes of Central Oregon; Smith Rock, Black Butte, Tumalo Falls, and the Three Sisters—the mural captures the region’s seasonal motion and layered ecosystems. Designed specifically for the terminal’s staircase and escalator, the composition rises with the viewer, revealing new details at each elevation and mirroring the experience of moving through the high desert on foot.
Grounded in a palette that complements the terminal’s warm woods and natural finishes, the piece brings wildlife, terrain, and atmosphere into a single flowing scene. Through this work, he hopes to share the beauty of the region he calls home with travelers passing through Redmond.
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