If you live in Waterloo Region, no doubt you've been affected somehow by the construction of the region's light rail transit (LRT) service. Maybe you're a motorist, a pedestrian, or a business owner. Public transit is very much on the minds of those in the region, even if they don't use it.
Uptown funk. King Street in Waterloo. April 2016.
I'm a motorist and it's been years since I've used public transportation as my regular means of getting around, but I remember what it was like. There's not much to look at. If you don't have a book with you or music to listen to, it can be pretty boring getting from point a to point b. Art That Moves You plans to change that. It's a public art project displayed inside Grand River Transit buses, featuring monthly visual art and poems by well-known visual artists and writers from across the Region of Waterloo. The project got funding from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund and it runs from April 2016-March 2017. Work from 22 artists and writers was selected from 235 submissions. I think it's a wonderful idea and it will bring something unique to the public transit experience. I attended the opening reception at The Button Factory on April 12.
The featured artists are Michele Braniff, Susan Coolen, Amy Ferrari, Judy Gascho-Jutzi, Melissa Kristensen-Smith, Nancy Peng, Alisha Rombouts, Bill Schwarz, Andrew Smith, Bryanna Vanloo-Rivard, Ralf Wall and Adrienne Zoe.
Weeds by Nancy Peng paired with Blossoms by April Bulmer
The Light of Autumn by Ralf (Raflar) Wall
Anywhere But Here by Bryanna Vanloo-Rivard
Writers selected include Leslie Bamford, Erin Bow, Michele Braniff, April Bulmer, Natalie Choi, Barry Earle, Paul Knowles, Ciaran Myers, Carrie Palesh, Maria Sayde, and Korinne Tuck.
It was neat to see how well the written work was paired with the visual art. I might have to make an attempt to get on a bus at least once a month over the next year to see the project in its final form.
Have there been any public art projects that have stood out to you?
Story and photos by Glodeane Brown