Vintage-Inspired Art Seats Transform Waiting Areas at Connecticut Airport

Bradley International Airport has brought a burst of color and fresh energy to its terminal with a new collection of artistically designed chairs. High school students from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts created these unique pieces.

This project is part of the airport’s ongoing BDL Art & Music program. It’s not just a facelift—it’s a celebration of local history, pride, and community spirit greeting travelers as soon as they arrive in Windsor Locks.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

Breathing New Life Into a Popular Airport Tradition

Back in 2018, the airport introduced artist-themed seating. Years of heavy use wore down the original chairs, so now the vision’s been revived with bright, imaginative designs from students at nine schools—seven in Connecticut, two in Massachusetts.

Connecticut schools span towns like Windsor Locks, Ellington, Somers, Enfield, Suffield, Manchester, and East Windsor. Passengers passing through now find themselves surrounded by creative tributes to the area’s heritage, whether they’re flying in from Boston or heading somewhere new.

Highlighting Local History and Pride

Each school received either a classic wooden rocking chair or a colorful Adirondack chair as their canvas. The challenge: transform it into a work of art inspired by their community.

The results? As varied as the towns themselves:

Windsor Locks — Honors former Governor Ella T. Grasso, the first woman elected governor in Connecticut in her own right, and includes imagery tied to Bradley’s Runway 33.
Ellington — Shows off bold school spirit with the Knights logo painted across the chair.
Somers — Celebrates the historic Four Town Fair, an annual event that’s been around for more than 180 years.
Manchester — Features imagery of the Cheney Brothers historic silk mills, nodding to the town’s industrial roots.
Enfield — Pays tribute to its tobacco-farming past and the agricultural history of the Connecticut River Valley.

Across the state line, Agawam and Longmeadow schools brought in touches of Western Massachusetts culture. The collection really feels like it reflects the broader regional community that Bradley serves.

A Collaborative Timeline

The airport dropped off blank chairs at each school in March. Students got to work on their designs during the spring semester.

By May, the projects were finished and the chairs made their way back to Windsor Locks for installation throughout the terminal.

Functional Art With a Purpose

The chairs offer comfortable seating for travelers, but they’re also an immersive art display. Visitors from all over can sit back, relax, and literally take a seat in Connecticut’s cultural story.

Airport spokesperson Brian Spyros said the initiative does more than brighten the terminal. “The project strengthens community engagement and creates a unique sense of place for visitors,” Spyros said.

Continuing a Long Tradition

Artistic chairs have shown up in galleries, museums, and public spaces across the country for decades. Bradley keeps this tradition alive, but with its own New England twist.

Showcasing Connecticut’s Creative Talent

This year’s unveiling shows how public art can be both accessible and meaningful. From Suffield’s pastoral landscapes to East Windsor’s nod to historic architecture, each chair tells a story rooted in the towns that made them.

For travelers, these chairs become more than just a place to rest—they’re conversation starters, memory markers, and snapshots of Connecticut’s cultural fabric. For students, it’s a rare chance to see their work on display in one of the state’s busiest public venues, reaching thousands every day.

A Welcome Sight for Visitors

Maybe you’re flying into Bradley from halfway across the world. Or maybe it’s just a quick hop from New York.

Either way, these vibrant seats greet you with a burst of color and a sense of home. They show off the region’s symbols and the spirit of the schools, towns, and young artists who designed them.

Connecticut’s always been a mix of tradition and new ideas. Projects like this make sure public spaces feel connected to the pride people have in places like Manchester, Windsor Locks, Ellington, and Somers.

So if you’re passing through Bradley International, why not pause for a second? Enjoy the view—or just take a seat. It might end up being a memorable part of your trip.

Here is the source article for this story: Travel back in time and take a load off in an artful seat while waiting for a flight at CT airport

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now