LEXINGTON, Kentucky — Blue Grass Airport (KLEX) found an unusual way to get local students involved in aviation.
Students at Lexington Middle School were tasked with designing and painting one of the airport’s snowplow blades, transforming the piece of winter equipment into “a work of art that represented their unique vision and tied to the aviation community” that the students titled “Hands That Dream,” airport officials said.
Led by their instructor, Leonardo Jarmillo Jones, 34 eighth grade students designed and painted the piece in coordination with the airport.
The artwork features “floating hands” to symbolize how their school community works together and celebrates its diversity. Using images of paper airplanes to express their future goals, they designed a representation of how their dreams connect back to their community, officials noted.
“The plow will be displayed throughout the winter in the airport’s upper atrium, just past the TSA security checkpoint, giving the students a unique opportunity to have their work viewed by thousands of travelers from across the region and beyond,” airport officials added.
The students visited the airport during the unveiling of the eight-foot plow blade, where they had the chance to learn about winter snow operations and tour the airport.
This unveiling comes as Blue Grass Airport’s team begins snow operations for the winter season. Snow removal preparations typically begin as early as May when crews are being trained and trucks are being tuned to ensure that the airport’s more than 232 acres are kept clear after every snowfall, airport officials said.
“We are always looking for ways to engage young people in aviation, and this project offered a unique way to bridge art with real-world airport operations,” said Eric Frankl, president and CEO of Blue Grass Airport.
For more information: BlueGrassAirport.com
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