About Us

Senior Manager, Arts Program

Christopher Chalupsky

Chris Chalupsky oversees the Arts Program at San Diego International Airport (SAN) with a focus on developing programming and partnerships with artists and arts organizations in the San Diego community. Bringing 20+ years of experience in cultural arts and entertainment programming, including record label roles in the music industry of Los Angeles, Chalupsky joined the Arts Program at SAN in 2016 from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. At SAN Chalupsky’s main mission is to help enrich the experience, and thus the lives, of airport patrons through collaborative arts programming of the highest caliber. From 2017-2019 Chalupsky led the creation of a new Arts Master Plan for SAN. This plan will guide the Arts Program for the foreseeable future under his direction. He sits on the San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition Steering Committee (SDRACC), Ocean Beach Planning Board (OBPB), and is a registered member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and Songwriters of North America (SONA). Chalupsky is a Minnesota native and an art creator himself, being a published songwriter and musician.

Manager, Arts Program

Lauren Lockhart

Lauren Lockhart leads the airport’s efforts to realize ambitious public artworks which are seamlessly integrated into the airport environment. Through her work on public art and temporary exhibitions, Lockhart continually aspires to communicate meaningful stories of San Diego’s history, culture and people to the traveling public. Lockhart is an arts administrator and curator with nearly fifteen years of experience collaborating closely with artists. Before joining the Airport Authority, Lockhart was an independent curator and held positions at the New Children’s Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and National Gallery of Art. She is co-chair of the Public Art Coalition of Southern California, and serves on the Public Art Committee for the Port of San Diego.

Curator, Arts Program

Joey Herring

Joey Herring works with local, regional and national artists and arts organizations to curate exhibitions throughout the airport environment. He is also responsible for coordinating and curating the performing arts programming, including the Airport’s annual Performing Arts Residency Program. Herring has more than 10 years professional experience, and before joining the Airport held positions at Tate Modern, The Courtauld Gallery, The San Diego Museum of Art, the University of California San Diego and the Museum of Photographic Arts.

Coordinator, Arts Program

Tony Almanza

Tony Almanza has worked for the Airport Authority for over 10 years and joined the Arts Program team in 2017. He previously held the position of the Airport’s Lead Painter within the Facilities Management Department. Almanza brings with him a vast knowledge of the Airport which enables him to coordinate with colleagues across all divisions and departments of the Authority in order to implement arts programming. Almanza continues to take art history classes, and enjoys visiting museums in his spare time with his wife Esme and his Son Adrian.