Indianapolis International Airport celebrates Black History Month with the display of a variety of art throughout the airport. Many of the pieces feature work by local Black artists, each telling stories of Black history, experiences, community and culture in the United States.

Indianapolis Airport Authority executive director Mario Rodriguez said, “The Indy airport has one of the largest art programs featuring local artists among airports in the United States. Public art is far beyond decoration. It tells our story, presents our city and its history to visitors, and it leverages the talent and vision of local artists to inspire and push us to keep evolving as a community.”

In Civic Plaza lies the Purdue Black Cultural Center, an exhibition of various artwork and artifacts celebrating life across the global geographical displacement of Black peoples and culture via the forces of history. The collection includes antiquities from many African countries as well as cultural products like clothing, jewelry and collectibles from the Black Cultural Center’s presence on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus.

Also featured in Civic Plaza is an 11-foot-high, 22-foot-long mural depicting Marshall “Major” Taylor, a Hoosier native who became the first Black American world champion professional cyclist. Created by Shawn Michael Warren and Joe Vondersaar, the mural honors the courage and talent of Taylor. This mural comprises part of a five-story mural exhibited on the side of the Barnes & Thornburg building in downtown Indianapolis.

One of the largest displays is the more than 75-foot-long mural of Madame C. J. Walker by Tasha Beckwith. The mural commemorates Walker’s achievements as the first self-made Black female millionaire. Walker was a great influence on Indianapolis, contributing to the legacies of Indiana Avenue and Walker Theatre.

Travelers in Concourse A of the airport will come across redLINES, a 426-foot-long quilt originally created as a table runner. Constructed by LaShawnda Crowe Storm, the quilt was initially put together to support a 2019 community-based food justice project. When looking closely at the quilt, onlookers can see the effects and harm of redlining practices in American history. The quilt also depicts the surviving effects of redlining today.

In Concourse B, take a look at Matthew Cooper’s mixed media Moments of Solace II. This piece balances the process of creation and destruction, utilizing materials like paper, cardboard and paint to build up the piece to mimic the emotions Cooper felt when making it. The creations depict Black people enjoying normal activities, striving to evoke a sense of vulnerability and unearthed personal truths in each person viewing the piece.

In between the two concourses lies Kevin Wilson’s Norman Rockwell-style vinyl mural. The 50-foot-mural depicts Black men congregating in their neighborhoods for community and fellowship. Wilson drew inspiration from his own memories of a present-day location of a local White Castle restaurant to complete the piece.

These art pieces were erected for Black History Month and will grace Indianapolis International Airport through April.

What piece are you most looking forward to seeing at Indianapolis International Airport? Do you think local art should be displayed in more airports across the country? Do you think more airports should be tied to their region/city in a direct way? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.