NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – Plane spotters who photograph aircraft at the University of Oklahoma’s Max Westheimer Airport will bring their photography into its lobby this November as part of a growing program showcasing Oklahoma artists.
The exhibit is part of Art at the Airport, a program inspired by airport property manager Kim Fairbanks’ travels through larger airports, where she noticed how art welcomed visitors. She saw the chance to introduce travelers to Oklahoma artists while creating a welcoming entrance to OU and the city of Norman.
“A lot of people fly into Westheimer and our airport is the first welcoming door to the city of Norman and the University of Oklahoma,” Fairbanks said. “We wanted our airport walls to reflect the range of artists and perspectives across Oklahoma.”
To learn how airports organize exhibits and work with artists, Fairbanks attended workshops hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives.
Working with artist Jesse Pline, Fairbanks launched the first installation in March 2024 with his photos of native Oklahoma wildlife. Norman resident Sharon White’s acrylic paintings followed in May 2025. In August 2026, Larry Carter, a construction project manager at OU, became the program’s third featured artist. His oil paintings draw on his Chickasaw heritage.
The program has also expanded into literary arts. A talk brought visitors to a hangar to hear Vietnam veteran Roger Gallagher discuss his novel, Rotors: A Novel of the Vietnam War. A Little Free Library resembling an airport tower was built by Colin Fields as his Eagle Scout project.
Fairbanks would like to grow the program by adding performing arts and involving OU art students. “We are at a higher education institution and we want to introduce visitors to things Oklahoma has to offer that they may not know about,” Fairbanks said. “I hope the art gives people a reason to visit our airport.”
Fairbanks is currently working with the plane spotters on the November exhibit. Details about the exhibit opening will be announced. For more information, email kimf@ou.edu. Learn more about the Max Westheimer Airport.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and healthcare needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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Plane spotters who photograph aircraft at the University of Oklahoma’s Max Westheimer Airport will bring their photography into its lobby this November as part of a growing program showcasing Oklahoma artists.
