Artwork Will Blend Beauty and Culture for North Avenue Rising Enhancements
BALTIMORE, MD (September 3, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), in partnership with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA), today announced commencement of the Penn-North Metro SubwayLink artwork project by Baltimore artist Megan Lewis. Ms. Lewis will bring her bold and creative vision to create a mural inside the station, focusing on the history and culture of the Penn-North community. This $60,000 installation is one of the final elements of the Penn-North station renovation, and is part of the $27.3 million North Avenue Rising revitalization project. It is also the first new artwork commissioned since the Metro SubwayLink system opened more than 30 years ago.
“MDOT MTA is confident in Ms. Lewis’ vision to capture the vitality, spirit and rich history of the Penn-North community,” MDOT MTA Acting Administrator Holly Arnold said. “We hope this artwork will bring joy to our riders and provide a vibrant touch to the ongoing improvements along the North Avenue corridor.”
Megan Lewis was selected through a national competition in 2018 by MDOT MTA and BOPA to develop and install new interior artwork specifically for the Penn-North Metro Subway station. While the station artwork is Ms. Lewis’ first public art commission, her colorful murals grace several Baltimore buildings. She has crafted artwork for the Baltimore Orioles, the University of Maryland Medical System and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
This integration of art and transit is intended to improve the rider experience within the station. Throughout September, Ms. Lewis will be painting the mural during commuting hours as well as overnight when the station is closed.
Since its launch in 2017, the North Avenue Rising project has made improvements throughout the five-mile corridor, including dedicated bus lanes supported by transit signal priority, bike facilities, enhancements to Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink stations, improvements at major bus stops and sidewalks, streetscaping and roadway repaving. Construction is expected to be complete by October 31.
North Avenue Rising is a joint project between Baltimore City and MDOT, with state, local and federal funding including: $14.7 million from MDOT, $1 million from the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, $10 million from a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and $1.6 million from USDOT Federal Highway Administration.
MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. As a participating agency in APTA’s Health and Safety Commitment Program, MDOT MTA is dedicated to keeping our employees and passengers safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which serves as Baltimore City’s arts council, events center and film office. By providing funding and support to artists, arts programs and organizations across the city, and by producing large-scale events such as Artscape, Baltimore Book Festival and Light City, BOPA’s goal is to make Baltimore a more vibrant and creative city.
Media Contacts
Brittany Marshall
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 443-970-0424
bmarshall1@mdot.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
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