In Waves: Art Installation at Denver International Airport by Asian Girls Ignite
We are thrilled to announce that Asian Girls Ignite (AGI) has been invited to participate in an art exhibit at Denver International Airport (DIA), thanks to Courtney Ozaki, Experiential Creative Producer and Founder of The Japanese Arts Network. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity showcases the creativity, resilience, and community spirit of AGI students.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Eleven AGI middle and high school students came together to craft clay creations, fold origami, and paint wooden figurines. Their work culminated in a stunning art installation centered on belonging and community.
Annabel Kaey, AGI Program Coordinator, shared a heartfelt reflection:
"I got emotional at the step of building the island part of the installation because I remembered the experience of our workshop. I could feel your silliness, joy, and happiness in each piece I placed on the island."
Installation Process: A Note from Annabel
Here are some photos of the morning I went to the airport! I was so excited—it was quite a journey to get there.
First, I loaded everything into my car. That dusty, blurry photo with the sun reflection is the island riding in the back of my trunk. If you squint, you can kind of see it! Hehe.
When I got to the airport, I was escorted by Riley, an art exhibit intern with the airport. She took me through the underground tunnels in a very weird golf cart. Someone thought the island was a cake, which I thought was funny!
After our travels through the tunnels, we took a secret elevator to the final destination. Installation took a few hours! We used adjustable rods to hang the clouds, cranes, and butterflies from the top of the glass case. Then, the island fit snugly at the bottom.
A passerby walked by and said, "Wow, that's so whimsical!" and I had to agree! The closer you look, the more you notice. It reminds me of one of those I-Spy books!
Meaning Behind the Art
Just like waves, the community of Asian Girls Ignite embraces change, flow, and leaning upon each other. This piece is a culmination of elements from individual students that build upon each other to create a floating island that directly represents our students’ expressions of self, celebrations of joy, and embodiments of dreams. In Waves embraces varied movement and vivid colors to illustrate the joy and celebration that is possible when a person is in community. In spaces of true safety and belonging, the light inside each of us can burn strong and bright, helping to ignite those around us.
📍Where and When to See It
Location: Concourse C Mezzanine Area, above the food court, Denver International Airport
On Display: Now through early 2025 (final exhibition dates pending)
How to View the Installation
While access without a flight ticket is limited, exciting opportunities are in the works:
Opening Ceremony: An official opening ceremony may allow select staff to capture more photos and videos.
Professional Photography & Virtual Tour: The curator plans to create professional images and possibly a virtual exhibition.
Monthly Public Viewings: Starting early 2025, monthly public viewings may be organized for contributors, including AGI students.
Stay tuned by following us on Instagram or signing up for our mailing list for updates as we learn more about viewing opportunities. We can’t wait to share this beautiful representation of community and belonging with you!
About Asian Girls Ignite (AGI)
Founded in 2020, Asian Girls Ignite is a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) girls and gender-expansive youth. Through culturally responsive, social-emotional learning programs centered on identity affirmation, storytelling, and leadership development, we help students cultivate a strong sense of self and belonging. We dream of a world where AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth boldly define their own power, celebrate their unique stories, and lead with purpose in shaping their futures and communities.
