New L.A. Metro Portrait Exhibition at L.A. Union Station Celebrates Diversity of Bus and Rail Riders

A new Metro Art exhibition from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), will be opening in the Union Station Passageway Art Gallery the week of December 13. The exhibition, titled “We Are. . . Portraits of Metro Riders by Local Artists” celebrates the diversity of Metro ridership and includes 35 new portraits of transit riders by Los Angeles County artists. The portraits will also be accessible online at metro.net/art.

The exhibition celebrates the launch of the 2022 Metro Art program to creatively celebrate Metro riders and features portraits presented in multiple formats and sites throughout the Metro system, including limited edition TAP cards, digital displays in Metro stations, and a special Metro Art Bus. The exhibition will also be accompanied by various all-age community engagement programs, including tours, talks, online activities and more.

Metro riders are invited to contribute selfies and personal stories of transit using the hashtag #SomosWeAre.

The “We Are. . .” exhibition at Union Station introduces mixed media artworks created by 35 artists. The artworks feature transit riders of various ages, ethnicities and backgrounds—as diverse as Los Angeles County itself. Riders, artists and curatorial advisors with ties to neighborhoods and cultural organizations served by Metro worked closely with Metro Art staff to produce portraits that are intimate, immediate and relevant to the local communities. The stories captured by the artists are simultaneously personal and universal.

Exhibition artwork examples include artist Bodeck Luna Hernandez’ depiction of his mother, who has been riding Metro to and from Long Beach since 2002, traveling alongside his niece in a work he titles Legacy. Javier Carrillo depicts a street vendor in Jose Carrillo, El Taquero, who commutes for his work via Metro. Leo portrays a teenager who rides Metro to connect with friends and explore skate parks between downtown and Santa Monica, by artist Maria Piñeres.

For additional photos of artworks, click here.

Artists in the exhibition include: AiseBorn, Eric Almanza, Kristina Ambriz, Jazmine Atienza, Susu Attar, Christen Austin, Moses X. Ball, Daniel Barajas, Chelle Barbour, April Bey, Javier Carrillo, Carolyn Castaño, Gregg Chadwick, Sean Cheetham, Cat Ferraz, Carla Jay Harris, Alepsis Hernández, Bodeck Luna Hernandez, Lanise Howard, Bryan Ida, Sheila Karbassian, Kaylynn Kim, Miles Lewis, José M. Loza, Cody Lusby, Rosalind McGary, Samuel Pace, Maria Piñeres, Adele Renault, LP Ǽkili Ross, Carlos Spivey, Edwin Ushiro, Dave Van Patten, J Michael Walker, Angela Willcocks.

The Metro Board of Directors has recognized the arts as “a powerful means of bringing people together across borders of all kinds” in its 2020 motion to “Uplift the Human Spirit Through Metro Art.” “We Are. . .” is presented by Metro Art in collaboration with Metro’s Office of Civil Rights, Racial Equity & Inclusion and Communications departments.

Editor’s Note: Metro Operators are crucial to keeping LA moving. Metro is currently hiring more than 500 bus operators and is offering a $3,000 bonus for coming aboard. This is a great career opportunity. Metro offers competitive hourly rates starting at $17.75 for a 30-hour job as bus operators with benefits that include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, paid training, retirement plan options and flexible working hours. Please encourage friends, family and community members to become a part of the Metro team that provides excellence in service and support and keeps our region moving. Apply at metro.net/driveLA.

About Metro

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.

Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.

Metro Art Program

Metro Art enhances the customer experience with innovative, award-winning visual and performing arts programming that encourages ridership and connects people, sites and neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. A diverse range of site-specific artworks are integrated into the growing Metro system, improving the quality of transit environments and creating a sense of place. From photography installations to onboard posters, art tours and live performances, our multi-faceted arts programs add vibrancy and engage communities throughout Los Angeles. The Metro Art Passageway Art Gallery at Union Station features artists and artworks of regional significance. For more information and to learn about artist opportunities, visit metro.net/art and follow us on Facebook  and Instagram.