Tulsa, Okla. – August 11, 2026 – Tulsa International Airport (TUL) has welcomed two new art exhibits offering travelers an opportunity to experience the creativity and culture that make Tulsa so unique. The exhibits, “Friendship Through Art: Tulsa & Sumy” and the Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild’s Route 66 Centennial Display, highlight both Tulsa’s international relationships and its place along the historic Mother Road.
“Art has a way of telling stories and creating connections, and that is exactly what we hope travelers experience when they visit these exhibits,” said Stephanie Chester, Director of Marketing and Customer Experience at Tulsa International Airport. “From the creativity and resilience of kids in our Friendship City of Sumy to the craftsmanship of these Route 66-themed quilts made locally, these exhibits give our passengers another way to connect with Tulsa.”
Exhibit # 1 – Friendship Through Art: Tulsa & Sumy
Opened Aug. 10, “Friendship Through Art: Tulsa & Sumy” is a three-month temporary exhibit at TUL created in partnership with the City of Tulsa, Ukraine Action Plan and Tulsa International Airport. The exhibit highlights a moving collection of handcrafted artwork created by children living under constant missile attacks in Sumy, Ukraine, Tulsa’s friendship city. Located in Schwab Hall between the rental car counters and the TSA Security Checkpoint pre-security, the exhibit celebrates the cultural connection between the two communities while showcasing the imagination and resilience of young artists amid unimaginable circumstances.
“We are honored to bring this remarkable collection to Tulsa,” said Karl Ahlgren, President of Ukraine Action Plan. “These children create beauty while facing daily danger. This unveiling is our way of saying: we see you, we stand with you, and we will not look away.”
“This artwork is more than a display – it is a message of solidarity,” added Mayor Nichols. “We invite the Tulsa community to join us in honoring these heroic children and showing them that they are not alone.”
“Seeing the outlook of children who are enduring the daily realities of war is something that everyone needs to experience,” said Ken Busby, a member of the Cultural Advisory Group at the Tulsa International Airport. “This exhibit is about compassion and understanding for those living in harm’s way.”
Exhibit #2 – Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild Route 66 Centennial Display
Also opened this week, the Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild’s Route 66 Centennial Display commemorates the 100th anniversary of Route 66 through original quilts inspired by Oklahoma’s stretch of the Mother Road. Eighteen members of the Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild created unique pieces for the curated exhibit. The exhibit also highlights the guild’s impact beyond the quilts themselves, including its charitable quilting efforts, public art exhibitions and national recognition for contributions to the quilting community. This exhibit is located in display cases post-security near Tulsa Provisions, toward the Concourse A gates, and will remain on display through the end of 2026.
“Route 66 is a vital thread of road that binds our state together. Finding a way to commemorate its 100th anniversary during 2026 was on the top of my to do list as President of the Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild,” said Kim Rivas, recent President of Tulsa Modern Quilting Guild. “Seeing our members’ quilts during our monthly show and tell sessions, I was confident our members would create unique quilts that reflected their memories and experiences along Route 66. And wow, they exceeded all expectations! I am proud to have led our guild during this challenge, and we are all excited and thankful to have our art shown at Tulsa International Airport.”
Connecting Travelers with Art and Culture: Both exhibits were selected with the guidance of the Tulsa International Airport Cultural Advisory Group (CAG), a volunteer group of local arts and culture representatives formed in 2006 that works with airport staff to bring meaningful art and cultural experiences to the terminal. Through rotating exhibits and community partnerships, CAG helps transform the airport into more than a place to catch a flight. The program gives visitors and locals an opportunity to learn about the people, stories and places that shape our region.
Media Resources: Photos for on-air, online, or social media use can be found here.
About Ukraine Action Plan: Ukraine Action Plan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on advocacy in the United States and Ukraine. The organization supports humanitarian efforts, public awareness initiatives, and strategic partnerships that uplift the Ukrainian people during this critical time.
About Tulsa International Airport: Tulsa International Airport (TUL) is dedicated to providing a seamless, friendly and accessible travel experience for all passengers. Known for its customer-centric approach and forward-thinking initiatives, TUL connects travelers to 26 nonstop destinations and 422 one-stop destinations around the globe while maintaining its commitment to the local community it serves. In 2025, the airport served over 3.2 million commercial passengers. For more information, visit www.flytulsa.com.