As flight attendant Jewel Van Valin told the Los Angeles Times in July 2008, the first time she set down a paper mat, a disgruntled passenger “stared at it and then rolled his eyes.” ...

It didn’t take long for Jewel Van Valin’s cross-country art project to take off. Passengers flying in the difficult days after 9/11 were anxious and irritable because of tightened security and ...