Click here to view a media gallery of the exhibit.
In honor of Black History Month, the Louisville Regional Airport Authority announces it is expanding its reach of the exhibit, “The Sky’s the Limit: A Celebration of the History of Black Achievement in Aviation,” which is returning for the third consecutive year. To provide a greater opportunity for engagement, this year the exhibit is featured at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in the rotunda at the entrance of Concourses A and B, giving 300,000 travelers an opportunity to learn about these remarkable individuals and groups.
“Going into the third year, we felt it was important to build on our past successes with this exhibit that was previously featured at Bowman Field,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport. “Because our goal continues to be educate and inspire more people on the importance of Black achievement in aviation and celebrate the advancements that each of these leaders piloted, we wanted to bring this exhibit to our SDF travelers.”
Through the use of visuals, visitors will see how Black men and women in history got their start in aviation, any 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 1-28, the exhibit will be in the rotunda area, which is past the TSA Security Checkpoint at SDF. As travelers arrival and depart SDF, they’re encouraged to take time to engage with the exhibit and share their experience to the SDF social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Even with the exhibit’s move to SDF that is post-security, organizations are still welcome to bring a group to experience the exhibit. To do so, they can 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 second 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.
“Last year was the first year we offered a student art contest and saw a number of entries from local students,” added Mann. “This is a great way to engage the next generation of aviation professionals and let them showcase their knowledge, talent and inspiration.
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 the 2023 Louisville Aviation Camp at Bowman Field in the Summer 2023.
Submissions are accepted now through Friday, February 17, 2023, and may be dropped off at Louisville Regional Airport Authority from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or mailed to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) 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.
