Richmond International Airport on Tuesday unveiled a new outdoor art installation titled “Travel Companions”, a 24-foot sculptural work featuring three hummingbirds alongside visual references to Virginia’s state tree and state flower, WWBT reported.
Artist and concept
The project was designed by artist Matthew Mazzotta, who is known for public artworks at other airports, including a large flamingo at Tampa International Airport, according to the report. Mazzotta began the work nearly two years ago after a committee made up of airport staff, local art professionals and community representatives drew up a contract in February 2025.
“TRAVEL COMPANIONS is a celebration of nature, culture, and diversity, reflecting the rich ecological and social tapestry of Virginia,” the artist said, adding that the birds are intended to remind viewers of our coexistence within a shared world.
Location, public engagement and naming
The installation is sited between the airport’s North and South Parking Garages, a prominent outdoor location intended to greet passengers arriving by car. The airport said passengers will be given the opportunity to select names for the birds later in the year, choosing between two options.
- Henry — a name referencing Revolutionary War figure Patrick Henry.
- Hummie Mae — a name inspired by Hammie Mae, a hippopotamus at the Metro Richmond Zoo.
WWBT reported the airport plans to present a shortlist of two names for the public to choose from in the coming months.
Context and civic art at transport hubs
Public art at airports has become commonplace in many cities, serving multiple purposes: placemaking, cultural representation, passenger experience and local economic signalling. Transport hubs often commission works that reflect regional identity or natural heritage so that arriving passengers immediately encounter a sense of place.
In this instance, the deliberate inclusion of state symbols — the tree and the flower — ties the artwork to Virginia’s ecological and cultural narrative. The artist’s framing of the hummingbirds as ‘‘travel companions’’ also evokes a poetic link between human travel and wildlife migration, an idea likely to appeal to visitors and frequent flyers alike.
What the announcement means for travellers and the city
For travellers, the installation provides a new visual landmark and a photo opportunity in an area of the airport that is part of the arrival and departure experience. For the airport and the wider Richmond area, commissioning local-themed art can contribute to visitor engagement and local pride, while also signalling investment in cultural infrastructure.
Because the airport has opened a public vote on the birds’ names, the installation also creates a modest participatory civic moment. Allowing passengers and residents to choose between historically rooted and locally playful name options may stimulate conversation about local history, civic institutions such as the Metro Richmond Zoo, and how communities choose to represent themselves in public spaces.
Details from the announcement
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Travel Companions |
| Height | 24 feet |
| Artist | Matthew Mazzotta |
| Location | Between North and South Parking Garages, Richmond International Airport |
| Naming options | Henry; Hummie Mae |
The airport’s announcement and the artist’s comments were reported by WWBT, which holds copyright to the initial report.
For South African travellers, the story is a reminder of how airports globally are increasingly used as canvases for public art that both welcomes visitors and reflects local culture. As airports invest in passenger experience beyond retail and security, artworks of this scale are likely to continue appearing at major transport nodes around the world.
