Midtown Announces New Public Art Project — ‘Light and Airy’
Midtown Welcomes ‘Light and Airy'
A New Public Art Installation at 10th and Walker Roundabout
Midtown is proud to announce a new public artwork will be installed at the 10th and Walker roundabout. “Light and Airy” from Canadian creative group Heavy is a site-specific artwork designed for the roundabout that uses an illuminated pop art sculpture to pay homage to OKC hospitality, Oklahoma’s memorable sunsets, and the camaraderie felt when people come together around food.
At first glance, “Light and Airy” looks simply like an oversized piece of layer cake, a piece of fun pop art meant to raise eyebrows and hopefully instigate smiles. Upon second and third glances, “Light and Airy” is a representation of the hospitality OKC prides itself in and a nod to the joy that comes when hardworking individuals come together at the dining table, bar, or counter.
‘Light & Airy’
Title: Light & Airy
Medium: Steel, Acrylic
Date: 2026
Artist: Heavy
‘Light & Airy’ is an illuminated pop art sculpture inspired by Oklahoma City’s hospitality, sunsets, and the joy of shared meals.
Made possible by: SSM Health Oklahoma, Midtown Renaissance, Oklahoma City Medical Business District, Lingo Construction, Midtown OKC, Downtown OKC Initiatives, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, OKC Midtown Rotary Foundation, and Fitzsimmons Architects
The Creative Process
The art concept is the result of Heavy creative lead Sander Henrikson spending several days watching the Midtown roundabout, walking from business to business, meeting shop owners, residents, and visitors, and eating. Sander admits, “I probably ate at 15 different places.”
Layers of Meaning
Illuminated from the inside, “Light and Airy” will resemble a piece of layer cake rising off a small plate to approximately ten feet. The layers of the cake are meant to remind the viewer of the beauty of the Oklahoma sunsets. The lowest layer will reflect Oklahoma’s red soil. The cream above the cake may conjure images of fluffy cumulus clouds. The lighted colors of the cake may remind some viewers of neon signs and Oklahoma City’s history along Route 66.
The playful piece recognizes that behind every piece of cake there is a lot of hard work, whether that is the baker who awakes before dawn to prepare the batter, the folks in the service industry who work long shifts yet still make each guest and regular feel welcome, or the patron who has worked in the field or stressed behind a desk and is having a little respite in a favorite establishment.
Because the placement of the artwork within the roundabout makes it inaccessible, a “fork” brings the artwork to the viewer as a bench or location for visitors to capture a moment in time.
This project was seeded through funds from the former Medical Business District, which earmarked a portion of remaining funds for a public art piece within the Midtown 10th Street corridor. To bring a notable piece of artwork to the area, SSM Saint Anthony, Midtown Renaissance, Midtown OKC and Midtown Rotary have made generous contributions towards the fulfillment of the project.
Made possible by: SSM Health Oklahoma, Midtown Renaissance, Oklahoma City Medical Business District, Lingo Construction, Midtown OKC, Downtown OKC Initiatives, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, OKC Midtown Rotary Foundation, and Fitzsimmons Architects
'Light and Airy' FAQ
How was the artist selected?
In 2023, after an extensive RFQ process, the committee chose Alberta based artist design firm, Heavy. The RFQ received 81 proposals, including eight from Oklahoma-based artist teams. Heavy was selected due to:
- Their strong portfolio in large-scale public art
- Experience designing artwork specifically for roundabouts
- Demonstrated ability to create interactive, place-based installations that reflect local identity
Why wasn’t a local artist chosen?
Local artists were encouraged to apply and were part of the applicant pool. Ultimately, the selection was based on the strength of proposals and relevant experience for this specific site.
Oklahoma City benefits from both supporting local artists and bringing outside artists into the community. This expands the city’s artistic diversity while also creating professional opportunities and connections that help Oklahoma artists work in other cities. It’s important to the ecosystem of public art that communities hire artists locally, as well as extend beyond their communities. Having artwork by international artists also reinforces Oklahoma City as a place with international appeal.
Why a piece of cake?
“Light & Airy” uses cake as a symbol of hospitality, celebration, and togetherness, values that have long defined Midtown. Hospitality is in Midtown’s roots, dating back to the formation of many of Oklahoma City’s major hospital systems, and continuing today through the neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, shops, and service workers. After spending time walking the streets, talking with business owners, and eating at local spots, the artist chose cake as a playful way to honor the hard work behind every welcoming experience in Midtown, and the joy created when people come together at the dining table, bar, or counter.
Will the sculpture affect driver safety?
No. The sculpture complies with all City safety requirements for this roundabout. In fact, the artwork is smaller than the previous landscaping in both height and footprint:
- Total height from curb to top of icing: 15.8 feet. The sculpture itself is 7 feet at the top of the cake, and 9 feet at the top of the icing.
- Width: 12.3 feet
The project went through all required City approvals, including:
- Arts Commission Loan Agreement (Dec. 2024)
- City Council Loan Agreement (Feb. 2025)
- Downtown Design Review (June 2025)
- Water Utilities Trust Agreement/Revocable Permit (Dec. 2025)
Roundabouts should include landscaping or vertical elements in the center to calm traffic and encourage drivers to slow down and yield, which improves overall safety.
Who owns the artwork?
Midtown OKC, the 501(c)3 organization representing Midtown property owners, business owners and residents, is the owner of the artwork and responsible for its future maintenance, including regular maintenance of landscaping.
UPDATED 2/2/2026
Installation and an opening celebration were originally expected in early summer 2025. The project’s new timeline will have the sculpture ready for view in time for the Spring Midtown Walkabout on April 11, 2026.
See more public art in Midtown here.