TULSA, Okla. – A new exhibit curated by Mvskoke artist Carly Treece is on display at the Tulsa International Airport. “Mvskokvlke: Culture, Connection, Continuous, Contemporary,” can be found in the Public Art Display terminal and runs through Jan. 2026.
The installation consists of 4 display cases, each with their own theme: Culture, Connection, Continuous, and Contemporary. Each is set up on the backdrop of the historical Hastains plat map, which shows the original allotments that make up what is now Tulsa.
“It’s four display cases and I just kind of started thinking…I have the Hastains township maps that show original allotment land in Tulsa, so it shows pretty much the majority of Tulsa, so in each display case, it has a different section of Tulsa showing the original allotment lands,” said Treece.
“I wanted that to be in there so that people could see, you know, have a different perspective of Tulsa and see those lands originally, the allotment lands and, and the people that they, that they belong to. That was important. And then, It just kind of went from there.”
While each display can stand on its own, taken together viewers are led on a journey beginning with the historical and traditional ways of the ancestors.
The “Culture” display features literary works, and maps of Indian Territory and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The “Connection” display features a Mvskoke dictionary, hymnal, and cultural items. The “Continuous” display shows ancestral motifs and artistry transformed from historical treasures into modern wearable art. “Contemporary” emphasizes a new era of Mvskoke representation.
“Airports are more than just gateways to new destinations – they’re places where people connect with culture. These exhibits bring Tulsa’s history and artistic talent into the travel experience, giving passengers a sense of place the moment they arrive.” said Stephanie Chester, Director of Marketing and Customer Engagement at Tulsa International Airport.
The significance of this opportunity to showcase Mvskoke culture in this gateway space isn’t lost on Treece.
“It’s important, you know, because it allows us to tell our stories. It allows us to tell stories of our culture, of our people, it allows us to speak about things in a different way, so you can look at things in a different way. Art can give you a different perspective as well.”
The exhibition is also a work of community with contributions from Midge Dellinger, MCN Oral Historian, John Brown and Britteny Cuevas-Brown who donated stickball sticks, Jamie Creek-Bennett of Mvskoke Threads, Irene Creek, The Fife Collection, and heirlooms from the artist’s family.
“Mvskokvlke: Culture, Connection, Continuous, Contemporary” can be seen at Tulsa International Airport in the Public Art Display terminal through Jan. 2026.
