Artwork will be Displayed in Gate Areas Throughout the Terminal’s Main Concourse on a Rotating Basis and will Complement Permanent Installations from 19 World-Renowned Artists

 

JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), the company selected by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to build and operate the new Terminal 6 (T6) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) today announced the selection of three Queens-based artists to be part of the terminal’s inaugural ‘Queens in Flight’ rotating community art program, which is being curated by JCAL. The artwork will debut when the new terminal opens its first gates in 2026. Local artists Kim Okoli, Llannski, and Garfield Harry will have their artwork prominently displayed in gate areas throughout the Terminal 6 Departures Concourse, joining permanent art installations from 19 world-renowned artists announced thus far. The Queens in Flight artists’ artwork will also be available for travelers to purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis via QR codes located on their display cases. A total of six rotating art displays will be part of the final Queens in Flight program when phase two of Terminal 6 construction is complete in 2028.

 

“T6 is more than just a new airport terminal—it’s a gateway to the world, and we’re proud to have Queens’ own artists at the heart of it,” said Steve Thody, CEO, JFK Millennium Partners. “Their work reflects the spirit of our city and the stories that make Queens one of the most dynamic communities in the world.”

 

“Look at any of the ambitious, endlessly inspiring artworks selected for ‘Queens in Flight,’ added JCAL Executive Director Leonard Jacobs, “and you’ll immediately see what we see: world-class local artists delivering best-in-class masterworks for a global travel terminal at the cutting-edge of New York City.”

 

Kim Okoli, who emigrated to the U.S. by way of Queens and is known for her vibrant mixed-media installations, shared:

 

“Queens has always been a borough close to both my heart and to my personal art journey. The communities in Far Rockaway and Flushing formed my early ideas of what the world looked like: teeming with life and laughter, and so much bigger than I could imagine. My piece that will appear in the new JFK Terminal 6 is my love letter to Queens, with a focus on the shared legacy of the different cultures that made a home for themselves here.”

 

Llannski, whose work explores identity and heritage through textile and sculpture, added:

 

“Art is how I challenge and show up for myself and for others. Sharing connection, resilience, and a reminder that none of us is alone. My hope is that when someone sees my work, it will give them a moment of recognition and comfort, but also inspiration. Or a proof that we’re moving through reality similarly.”

 

Garfield M. Harry, a photographer whose work captures the emotional depth of urban life, reflected:

 

“The creative journey I have embarked on is an immigrant story that started in 1977 when I peered out the window of a Pan Am 747 jet and saw the island of Manhattan illuminated at sunset. In that moment, I fell in love with New York as a child and it has created a lasting impact which has informed my photography. This project feels close to me for many reasons, stirring up memories of why I love my town, fond memories of working at JFK, and the celebration of diversity in Queens. I hope to share some of that with visitors from around the world.”

 

About the JFK T6 Art Program

The JFK T6 art program, of which the Queens in Flight program is just one component, ranges from sculptural installations to immersive visual art, as well as bespoke installations from New York City’s four art and cultural institutions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural

 

History. The terminal’s dedicated art collection aims to capture the diversity, energy, and identity of New York City while creating moments of connection and inspiration for travelers. The effort is led by architect Stanis Smith in collaboration with JMP and will also include 19 major site-specific permanent installations curated by Public Art Fund.

 

About the new JFK Terminal 6

Currently under construction, JFK T6 is being developed in two phases, with the first six gates opening in 2026 and construction completion expected by 2028. Over 15 domestic and international airlines will operate from the new terminal, including ANA, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, Icelandair, Lufthansa and SWISS. The new terminal will also include:

 

-10 gates, of which nine will accommodate widebody aircraft

 

-State-of-the-art automated baggage system, customs/border control facilities, and the latest TSA screening technologies

 

-One of the longest departures curbs at JFK, with airline-branded passenger drop-off zones

 

-Multiple airline lounges, in addition to a new arrivals lounge

 

-A new ground transportation center

 

-Sustainably sourced building materials, rooftop solar power, and energy efficient systems and operating practices throughout the terminal

 

-Sustainability certifications for LEED (silver or gold), Envision and SITES currently underway

 

About Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual, and performing arts, and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm; closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit JCAL.org.

 

About JFK Millennium Partners

Terminal 6 is an award-winning public-private partnership between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners — a consortium that is led by Vantage Group, an industry leading investor, developer and manager of award-winning global airport projects, including LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B; American Triple I, a certified minority-owned investor, owner, developer and manager of infrastructure assets; RXR, an innovative New York real estate investor and developer; and JetBlue Airways, New York’s hometown airline. When complete, Terminal 6 will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on JFK International Airport’s north side. 

# # #