No, this isn’t a sequel to the heated Twitter debate years ago about the color scheme of a dress. That was an optical illusion; this is more of a philosophical question. The main structure of Treasure Map at Albany International Airport (ALB) is, indeed, blue. But the sculpture itself is green because it’s primarily made of upcycled leather from the seats of retired or refurbished airplanes.
The commissioned artwork was a collaboration between ALB and Southwest Airlines to commemorate the carrier’s 25 years of service at the Upstate New York airport. “For a quarter century, Southwest Airlines has been a trusted and valued partner of Albany International Airport,” said Sam Fresina, chair of the Albany County Airport Authority Board, at the September 2025 unveiling of the new sculpture. “This creative project is a fitting celebration of our long-standing partnership and shared commitment to sustainability.”
The artwork was created through Repurpose with Purpose, Southwest’s global initiative to help keep its seat upholstery out of landfills. Since the program began in 2014, the airline has donated 1.4 million pounds of leather and more than $2 million in grants to help create employment opportunities and on-the-job skills training in communities throughout the world. This, however, is the first time its unneeded seat material ended up in a major art installation.
Hudson Valley artist Ruby Palmer leveraged her experience making cut-paper pieces when creating the perforated sculpture that now hangs in ALB’s Ticketing Lobby (near the Southwest counters, of course). She hand-cut, painted and layered the donated seat leather, using her signature process of first building and then subtracting material to produce the intricate map-like silhouette.
The result is a buoyant piece that Kathy Greenwood, director of ALB’s Art and Culture Program, describes as a vivid network of linear pathways reminiscent of a bejeweled landscape. “Ruby’s material sensibilities were key to meeting this very specific challenge,” says Greenwood. “Her integrative approach to sculpture and painting, and openness to experimentation resulted in this remarkable new work.”
Like the airport, Southwest was thrilled with the sculpture Palmer created. “[It] highlights the art of upcycling in a beautifully unique way,” remarked Ana Schwager, senior manager of the airline’s Corporate Responsibility Program, in a press release. “We hope that travelers passing by Treasure Map are inspired to consider the possibilities for upcycling and creative reuse in their own lives.”
