Click here to view an online media gallery of the exhibit at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
In honor of Black History Month, the Louisville Regional Airport Authority announces the return of the exhibit, “The Sky’s the Limit: A Celebration of the History of Black Achievement in Aviation” to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). This is the fourth year for this exhibit, and its second at SDF. The exhibit is prominently displayed in the rotunda, at the entrance of Concourses A and B. Approximately 330,000 travelers will have an opportunity to learn about these remarkable individuals and groups during the month of February.
“This exhibit continues to provide our community and out of town visitors the chance to see and understand the importance of Black achievement in aviation while celebrating the lasting impacts of these individuals and groups,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “We are glad it is back on display at SDF, where so many travelers will now have an opportunity to learn, and perhaps be inspired by their achievements.”
Through the use of visuals, visitors will see how Black men and women in history got their start in aviation, adversity they experienced and how they ultimately achieved greatness and rose to prominence. The exhibit spotlights 14 individuals and organizations, including Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to receive a pilot’s license, Robert Lawrence a pilot designation as the first Black astronaut and the Tuskegee Airmen.
From February 1-29, the exhibit is in the rotunda area, which is past the TSA Security Checkpoint at SDF. As travelers arrival and depart SDF, they are encouraged to take time to engage with the exhibit and share their experience to SDF’s social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Organizations are still welcome to bring a group to experience the exhibit, even though it is beyond the TSA security checkpoint. To do so, they may contact Kim Pemberton at (502) 363-8506 or Kim.Pemberton@FlyLouisville.com to make arrangements.
As part of this exhibit and to celebrate Black History Month, Louisville Regional Airport Authority is also holding a student art contest for the third year. Students ages kindergarten to 12th grade are encouraged to submit their artwork that shows what the exhibit, “The Sky’s the Limit: A Celebration of the History of Black Achievement in Aviation,” means to them.
One winner will be selected from each category: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade and ninth through 12th grade. The winners’ artwork will be on display as part of the exhibit and will also be featured on SDF’s social media pages. A grand prize winner 10 years or older will receive a complimentary scholarship to this year’s Louisville Aviation Camp at Bowman Field in the Summer 2024.
Submissions are accepted now through Friday, February 23, 2024, and may be dropped off to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or mailed to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, Attn.: Public Relations at 700 Administration Drive Louisville, KY 40209. Electronic art submissions may be sent to Kim.Pemberton@FlyLouisville.com.
For more information about the exhibit or the art contest, contact Natalie Chaudoin at Natalie.Chaudoin@FlyLouisville.com or Darrell Watson at Darrell.Watson@FlyLouisville.com.
