Giant hummingbirds land at Richmond International Airport
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"Travel Companions." Image: Courtesy of Richmond International Airport / TRAVEL COMPANIONS, © Matthew Mazzotta 2026
The Richmond airport officially unveiled its giant hummingbird and dogwood sculpture this week.
Why it matters: It's RIC's first piece of public art, and more could be in the works.
State of play: "Travel Companions," the 24-foot-tall sculpture, features the state flower and a trio of hummingbirds, symbolizing the airport as a travel hub and the passengers journeying through it, per artist Matthew Mazzotta in a news release.
- The birds' colors represent RVA's "vibrant multicultural community," he said.
- The piece sits between RIC's North and South parking garages and is the centerpiece of its newly renovated central plaza.
Zoom out: Mazzotta, who was selected by the regional airport commission, is no stranger to airport art.
- He also did the San Diego airport's massive jellyfish "RISE" and the giant pink flamingo in Tampa.
- The Tampa piece is called "HOME," but the long-necked bird goes by "Phoebe," per the winning name from a Tampa airport contest.
Zoom in: The Richmond airport held its own naming contest for our birds last year.
- Our personal fave is Hummie Mae, a name inspired by Richmond artist Doug Orleski's delightful, months-long online outrage after his name pick for the Richmond zoo's pygmy hippo — "Hammie Mae" — was rejected.
- The other two RIC hummingbirds go by Henry and Hollywood, for Patrick Henry and Hollywood Cemetery.
What we're watching: For more airport art — and naming contests.