New MIA exhibit celebrates aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss

Miami International Airport is celebrating the centennial anniversaries of neighboring cities Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka, and the legacy of their founder, aviation pioneer and land developer Glenn H. Curtiss (1878–1930), with its newest exhibition, Master of the Air, Builder of Dreams: Glenn Curtiss in South Florida.

Now open through August in MIA’s Concourse J Mezzanine Gallery on the 4^th floor, the exhibit highlights Curtiss' transformative role and impact on the region and the flourishing aviation industry that emerged during the cities’ land boom of the 1920s. Visitors can navigate through six thematic displays that weave together the narrative of Curtiss' innovative spirit and influence through a collection of loaned original artifacts, photographs, and scaled models that document Curtiss and the communities he was involved in founding; his early life in South Florida; and his business ventures such as flight schools, travel trailers, and a movie studio.

“I’m thrilled to see this exhibit on display at MIA, to honor the legacy of Glenn Curtiss and the centennial anniversaries of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka – three of Miami-Dade County’s most historic and influential cities,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This impressive collection of archives from Miami-Dade County’s past 100 years also supports our local celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary. As MIA continues its transformation, installations like this reflect our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience by showcasing the unique culture and history of Miami-Dade County from the moment visitors arrive.”

Curated by aviation historian Richard Leisenring, Miami Springs historian Ken Wilde, and Opa-locka Preservation Association Founder Alex Van Mecl, the exhibition also features a scaled model of the Glenn Curtiss and June Bug Legacy Memorial monument, an upcoming landmark in Miami Springs by local artist Natalie Plasencia. The monument will be unveiled this August in conjunction with Miami Springs' centennial anniversary on August 23, to honor Curtiss’ innovation, courage, and imagination.

The exhibition was made possible with the generous support and collaboration of the cities of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka, the Curtiss Mansion, the Miami Springs Historical Society, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation.  

MIA Galleries, established in 1996, is managed by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department's Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Division. Its mission is to enhance the travel environment by presenting exhibitions and showcasing works that celebrate the rich culture, diverse landscape, and artistic resources of the local community. MIA Galleries aims to elevate the passenger experience by curating a visually stimulating atmosphere that is contemporary, thought-provoking, and reflective of the cultural depth and creativity of the South Florida region.

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