CTA selects four artists to create original artwork

After reviewing nearly 350 responses last year, the Chicago Transit Authority has selected four artists to develop new artwork for four rail stations along the Brown, Blue and Green lines.

Chicago artists Mathew Wilson and Jason Messinger will create original artwork for the Diversey Brown Line station and the Illinois Medical District Blue Line station, according to an announcement from CTA. Jamie Pawlus from Indianapolis will design artwork for the Jefferson Park Blue Line station and Erin Curtis from the District of Columbia will develop art for the Kedzie Green Line station.

The art will reflect the neighboring community and is part of the mayor’s efforts to expand on public art, the transit agency announced. The CTA’s collection of public art boasts more than 60 works of art along all eight lines. The art ranges from photography, paintings, mosaics and sculptures from local and international artists.

“The addition of the artwork in our stations not only enlivens the space and enhances travel experience, it also adds to the character of the surrounding community” CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. said in a statement.

Additional artwork is planned as part of renovations in the next few years on several Blue, Brown and Red line stations as well as the Chicago/Austin bus turnaround, the CTA said.

Public meetings with the selected artists will be held in the coming months in order to gather community input for the designs, according to the transit agency. The budget for the project is estimated to be $320,000.