Travel Companions is a 24-foot public art sculpture by conceptual artist Matthew Mazzotta, officially unveiled in August 2026 at Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Virginia. Located in the newly renovated Center Core Plaza between the North and South Daily Parking Garages, the installation serves as the airport's very first piece of public art.
Commissioned for $400,000 in early 2025, the sculpture features a massive, flowering dogwood tree (the state flower of Virginia) encircled by three giant, brightly colored hummingbirds. The birds are built from commercial-grade structural steel and coated in vibrant automotive paint designed to endure the elements for decades. The installation also includes custom leaf-shaped public benches surrounding the base. Mazzotta designed the piece to draw a parallel between the ecology of Virginia and the purpose of the airport. Just as a dogwood tree naturally draws in hummingbirds, an airport brings together people from all walks of life. The diverse, vivid colors of the winged travelers symbolize Richmond's rich, multicultural community sharing a single space.
Following a public vote hosted by the airport on social media, the three hummingbirds were given locally inspired names:
- Henry: Named after Patrick Henry, famous for his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech delivered in Richmond.
- Hollywood: Named after the historic Hollywood Cemetery overlooking the James River.
- Hummie Mae: A playful nod to "Hammie Mae," a famous pygmy hippopotamus born at the nearby Metro Richmond Zoo.
Click here to see Matthew Mazzotta's other work on CODAworx.
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