Matthew Mazzotta’s TRAVEL COMPANIONS Fly Into Richmond International Airport

Ribbon cutting planned for first public art installation

Hummingbirds may be seasonal in Virginia, but three of these tiny travelers are making a permanent home at Richmond International Airport (RIC) as part of a new art installation — TRAVEL COMPANIONS. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Nearly two years in the making, this colorful, engaging sculpture created by artist Matthew Mazzotta will serve as the centerpiece in the newly renovated center core plaza, a greenspace and parking area located between the North and South Parking Garages.

“We are excited to welcome our first public art installation, TRAVEL COMPANIONS, to Richmond International Airport,” said Perry J. Miller, Ph.D., A.A.E., I.A.P., president and CEO of Richmond International Airport. “As we enter a period of transformation that will change the face of the airport, this striking artwork featuring the state tree and flower of Virginia will greet passengers and serve as a bright reminder that you’ve arrived at RIC.”

As part of its public art plan, the Capital Region Airport Commission, which owns and operates the airport, requested proposals for a large-scale piece of outdoor artwork with the facilitation of its public art consultant, Designing Local. Mazzotta’s piece was selected by an evaluation committee of commission staff, local art professionals, and community representatives with a contract awarded in February 2025 at a total project cost of $400,000. The sculpture was recently installed.

Renowned in the public art community, Mazzotta is the artist behind other celebrated projects, including HOME, a giant pink flamingo at Tampa International Airport (TPA), and RISE, a massive, purple-striped jellyfish at San Diego International Airport (SAN).

The 24-foot TRAVEL COMPANIONS sculpture featuring the state tree of Virginia — a flowering dogwood — and three hummingbirds draws parallels between the dogwood and the airport as travel hubs and the hummingbirds and passengers as travelers journeying to their next destination. Mazzotta explained that the radiant colors are inspired by the diverse species and local ecology of Virginia and are a metaphor for the region’s vibrant multicultural community.

“TRAVEL COMPANIONS is a celebration of nature, culture, and diversity, reflecting the rich ecological and social tapestry of Virginia,” said Matthew Mazzotta, the creator of TRAVEL COMPANIONS. “These winged travelers often share the very same flight paths we do, serving as a beautiful reminder of our coexistence within a shared world.”

To celebrate the airport’s inaugural art installation before its arrival, RIC asked social media fans to suggest names for the birds that fans later voted on. They selected Henry, after Patrick Henry, who delivered the famous revolutionary war era “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech at St. John’s Church; Hollywood, after the historic cemetery overlooking the James River; and Hummie Mae, a variation of the runner-up name, Hammie Mae, for a pygmy hippopotamus born at the Metro Richmond Zoo.

About Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Richmond International Airport’s vision is to be the region’s preferred gateway to the world by focusing on world-class customer experience and operational excellence that drives passenger choice. Activities at RIC contribute nearly 13,500 jobs and $2.97 billion to central Virginia’s economy, according to a new report from the VCU School of Business Executive MBA program. To learn more, please visit RIC on the web, X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, or YouTube.