Blog
Posted on 10/4/2021 3:58:54 PM
By Susan Gainen
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Whimsical Creatures Brighten Your Commute.
The Twin Cities' Metro Transit held a competition for bus shelter designs. The goal was to cut down on vandalism. I entered and forgot. But I won.
The fabulous and determined artist and Metro Transit Arts Administrator Mark Granlund tracked me down, walked me through the design process, helped me edit out the dozens of creatures who wanted to participate, and invited me to watch as the vinyl sheets were attached to the shelter. Amazing. Here it is.
The shelter is located at 5700 73rd Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55449. Bus Stop #42702. Take a drive out there. Visit. Take a selfie with any of the creatures. They will all be thrilled.
PUBLIC ART
The Bus Shelter is my very first piece of public art, and it is an honor. Click here to see my day at the set-up.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM MARK GRANLUND
Bus shelters have two audiences: the people who are waiting for the bus and the people who are driving past the bus stop. My first draft had too many creatures and too much type that told their stories. It would have entertained the folks waiting for their buses.
Mark pointed out that small creatures and type could be distracting to drivers, and distracted drivers are dangerous. I had to send a lot of my creature pals back to the studio.
