CLE unveils new art gallery dedicated to the late U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones
October 17, 2014
Events & Updates
With family and over 250 friends and supporters, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) officials unveiled the new Stephanie Tubbs Jones Art Gallery Thursday, October 16, 2014 during a VIP reception. The gallery is located on the lower terminal level, adjacent to the RTA Transit. Tubbs-Jones passed away in August 2008. She represented the 11th District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Ohio.
"It is an honor to unveil this new gallery in honor of the late U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones," said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. "She was a tireless public servant in this community and she was committed to supporting the local arts in Cleveland and throughout the region."
A native Clevelander and a lover of the arts, Tubbs-Jones was elected to represent the 11th District and was later re-elected four more times to the U.S. House of Representatives. While in Congress, she actively participated in the Congressional Arts Competition, which encourages Representatives from each district to host an arts competition for high school students. Winners of the competition have their work displayed in the main corridor between the U.S. Capitol and the House Office Building for one year.
"We are proud to commemorate and celebrate the life and career of Stephanie Tubbs Jones," said Airport Director Ricky Smith. "As we were developing this project, we always knew from the beginning we wanted to honor Congresswoman Tubbs-Jones. She worked tirelessly for the people of Cleveland, including the Cleveland Airport System."
"It is fitting that our Dad, the late Andrew Tubbs, started all of this, after retiring from a skycap at United Airlines. I know that Dad and Mom were very proud of Stephanie of her accomplishments and of her legacy," said the family of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. "Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones made a number of historic achievements in her distinguished career as a public servant."
The opening exhibit, Reflections, the many facets of Stephanie Tubbs Jones features twenty-two (22) images of women who represent various facets of the late Congresswoman. The video wall has a continuous loop of interviews from individuals Tubbs-Jones was influenced by and some of those she influenced. Airport officials wanted the gallery on the lower terminal level so everyone arriving or departing the airport could enjoy it.