The entrance to Marana Regional Airport (KAVQ) in Arizona, now boasts a new public art installation of a sculpture called “Wings Over Marana.”
The metal artwork features two stylized AT-6 Texan trainers, recalling the airport’s early days as an auxiliary training field during World War II. Marana is 22 miles northwest of Tucson.
“The sculpture was created as part of the Transportation Art By Youth (TABY) program, which funded the project through a $75,000 TABY grant from the Pima Association of Governments,” said Andrea De La Cruz, assistant to the town manager of Marana.
The grant, which was awarded in 2024, supported every phase of the project, including the artist’s fee, stipends for participating youth and instructors, engineering, and cost of materials.
“This grant launched a months-long, collaborative effort involving a local artist, Trevor O’Tool, and the Marana High School welding program,” De La Cruz told FLYING. “The TABY program not only supports public art, it also provides youth with valuable, hands-on experience working alongside professionals…The design process followed the town’s public art policy. The first review of the design was by the town of Marana’s Public Art Review Committee and then by the Marana Town Council. Marana is committed to creating public art that reflects the town’s character and history. ‘Wings Over Marana’ pays tribute to the pivotal role of the North American AT-6 Texan in Marana’s history and its enduring impact during World War II.”
The project came in partnership with the Marana Unified School District and the Pima Association of Governments.
O’Tool was the lead artist and had the help of four Marana High School welding students (Aleksandria Gabbard, Gabriel Avenenti, Brandon Gilbert, and Brayden Riggs) and two welding instructors (Mario Favela and Brett Fischer) to create the 12-by-18-foot sculpture.
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The sculpture was constructed at the high school welding shop, and once completed, transported to the airport for installation.
In addition to creating a piece of art for generations to enjoy and paying homage to the airport’s history, the students are also picking up valuable industry-relevant skills in welding and fabrication.
“This project gave them a chance to apply their training in a real-world setting while contributing to a meaningful piece of public art for the community,” said De La Cruz.
