Mapping a legacy: Documenting the arrival of “Jerry’s Map” at Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Art is often about the destination, but for Jerry Gretzinger, the art is the journey. For over 60 years, Jerry has been building a world — one 8x10-inch panel at a time. What started as a doodle in 1963 has grown into an interconnected masterpiece, governed by its own internal logic and a deck of instructional cards.
Earlier this month, that world found a permanent home in ours.
I’ve had the distinct honor of documenting the progress of "Jerry’s Map" as it was installed in the new Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC) at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Watching and capturing this monumental work scale the walls of the new facility has been super rewarding.
From the studio to the sky
Documenting this project wasn’t just about capturing the finished product; it was about capturing the spirit of the man behind the map.
The highlight of the entire project was a morning I won’t soon forget: Taking Jerry out onto the live runway at GRR for a one-of-a-kind photoshoot. Standing on the vast stretch of tarmac, with the roar of engines and planes lifting off into the Michigan sky behind us, felt like the perfect metaphor. Jerry has spent a lifetime "mapping" a world of his own creation; seeing him stand on the pavement that connects Grand Rapids to the rest of the globe felt like a true full-circle moment.
A masterpiece in scale
The installation itself is staggering, featuring 2,441 tiles. Spanning four stories alongside the new facility’s escalators, the map greets travelers with a burst of color and intricate detail.
As a photographer, the challenge and the joy of this project lay in the contrast of scales. One moment, I was capturing the grand architectural sweep of the CONRAC facility; the next, I was zooming in on the hand-painted textures of a single tile that Jerry touched decades ago.
The map isn’t just a static image. It’s a living history. It includes "voids," rebuilt sections, and layers of updates that reflect Jerry’s "future" and "past." Now, it will serve as the first or last thing many travelers see when they visit West Michigan.
The journey continues
While we celebrated the official unveiling of the art earlier this month, the journey for the facility is just beginning. The new Consolidated Rental Car Facility is set to open to the public later this year, providing a streamlined, world-class experience for travelers at GRR.
Until then, I’m grateful to have played a small part in telling this story. Jerry’s work reminds us that no matter how far we travel, there is always more to explore — and sometimes, the most vast worlds are the ones we carry with us.
Stay tuned for the official opening of the CONRAC facility later in 2026!
