Metro Art L.A. is an offshoot of the L.A. Metro system that provides art and cultural experiences to connect people to the amazing sites and neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Art encourages ridership and Metro Art LA is responsible for the beautiful murals, sculptures, and performance events seen at Union Station, its L.A. Metro stops, and on trains and buses.
Four art buses bring art to the streets for L.A. Metro passengers and passersby to enjoy. They are immersive experiences with 16 large-scale portraits of Metro riders on the exterior of each bus and 41 art cards lining the interior. The buses serve L.A. County as part of Metro Art’s multi-site exhibition We Are…
Art is also displayed on TAP cards, is viewable in the Union Station Passageway Art Gallery, and on digital displays at each of the A Line (Blue) and E Line (Expo Stations)
Metro Art also presents free arts and cultural experiences at locations like the historic Union Station. Past events have included film noir screenings of classic films, jazz, swing, folk, and salsa band performances in the station, magic shows, and even a dessert giveaway celebrating Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.
To learn about future events, go to metro.net/art and click on Events.
Permanent and temporary exhibits
Artwork is integrated throughout Union Station and its satellite stations from prominent artists and more is in progress. Each station is unique and reflects the neighborhood it is in. There are also temporary exhibitions such as the Metro Art Lightbox Series which presents rotating photography exhibitions at select stations.
Colorful posters celebrating transportation have been designed by Metro-commissioned artists for its Through the Eyes of Artists Series and are displayed on Metro trains and buses. The community can also take part in poster-signing events to meet the artists.
Poetry in Motion/LA often presents live readings at various rail stations during April featuring the works of prominent poets such as E.E. Cummings, Octavio Paz, and Langston Hughes.
Other projects include Art Tours led by docents and youth programming.
Recent Metro Art events
Metro Art and KCRW radio hosted Summer Nights 2024 for two nights in the elegant Mission Moderne Union Station Ticket Concourse. Entertainment included The South Hill Experiment, DJs Chris Douridas, Jeremy Sole, Raul Campos & SILVA.
Attendees also enjoyed alcoholic beverages and refreshments as they danced the nights away.
Watch this quick video of the event.
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