Travelers passing through OKC Will Rogers International Airport will now be greeted by a vibrant symbol of the city's international ties. Unveiled yesterday, the interactive public art piece titled “Connections: Oklahoma City’s Global Family” is a celebration of Oklahoma City’s seven Sister Cities. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, speaking during the unveiling, credited a trip to Santa Barbara as the inspiration behind the art installation. The work was praised by the mayor for reflecting Oklahoma City's global stature and was made possible by a donation from the local Sister Cities chapter, as per the City of Oklahoma City official website.
Admiring an art piece in Santa Barbara commemorating their sister cities, during a trip taken last year, Mayor Holt was struck with the potential for a similar piece in Oklahoma City. Alongside Sister Cities advocate Mary Blankenship Pointer, they envisioned an artwork that would honor Oklahoma City’s diverse global relationships. According to a statement obtained by OKC.gov, Mayor Holt said, “It reminds us we are linked like never before to the entire world. I am grateful to Sister Cities and everyone who made this possible.”
The dynamic sculpture is a team effort by local artists Scott Henderson and Kyle Van Osdol. It represents the partnership between Oklahoma City and its Sister Cities: Haikou, China; Kigali City, Rwanda; Puebla, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tainan, Taiwan; Taipei, Taiwan; and Piura, Peru. The President of Sister Cities International OKC, Paul Dudman, expressed his delight in sharing this installation with both residents and visitors, noting the strength of Oklahoma City's global connections.
“Connections: Oklahoma City’s Global Family” is a testament to the active role the Oklahoma City’s Sister Cities chapter plays within the community. As the second major public art installation by Sister Cities within the last five years, it follows another installation located at the Santa Fe train station. This other piece, identifying the distance to all of Oklahoma City’s Sister Cities, complements the airport installation. "This installation represents the strength of our global connections and the spirit of friendship that binds Oklahoma City to our Sister Cities around the world,” President of Sister Cities International OKC Paul Dudman told OKC.gov in a recent unveiling.
