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Carolina Curious: Why are there statues of painted jeans at PTI?

PTI Airport Public Art Consultant Cheryl Stewart inspects a Jeansboro statue at baggage claim. APRIL LAISSLE/WFDD

PTI Airport Public Art Consultant Cheryl Stewart inspects a Jeansboro statue at baggage claim. APRIL LAISSLE/WFDD

It’s a question you might hear from out-of-town visitors flying into Greensboro: Why are there painted pants statues in the middle of Piedmont Triad International Airport?

For this week’s Carolina Curious, WFDD’s April Laissle went to PTI to find out.

Near a busy baggage claim area, a statue of a pair of jeans decorated with an eagle and American flag stands between conveyor belts. It’s one of four colorful sculptures scattered throughout the airport. 

Piedmont Triad Airport Authority Marketing Manager Stephanie Freeman says she doesn’t have a favorite.

“No, no, I like them all for different reasons," she says. 

Each pair is painted with a different theme—North Carolina wildflowers, native landscapes, and even the state’s iconic horned owl. A small sign identifies the title and artist, but beyond that, there’s not much explanation. So how’d the art make it here? And why are jeans the medium?

“You k

April Laissle is a senior reporter and editor at WFDD. Her work has been featured on several national news programs and recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Before joining WFDD in 2019, she worked at public radio stations in Ohio and California.

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