FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Six Maryland Youth Artists Ages 8 to 15 Honored with Recognition
BALTIMORE, MD (April 22, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland State Department of Education, today announced the winners of the second annual Earth Day Art Competition. Specially designed zero-emission buses have been wrapped with original artwork from six Maryland youth that highlights environmental stewardship, sustainability and the importance of public transit in building a greener future. The buses will travel across the Baltimore region to remind the public that taking transit is a simple, affordable, convenient and sustainable transportation option every day.
“Thank you to these six young artists for their hard work creating art that will travel around the Baltimore area promoting a more environmentally friendly and healthier future for everyone," said Jawauna Greene, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Strategy at the Maryland Department of Transportation. "Together, we can harness the power of art, education and community engagement to create a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
This year’s Earth Day buses feature artwork by the following young artists from Baltimore City and Baltimore, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties:
- “Healthy Environment” by Madison Carter, 8, of Fort Washington
- “Happy Bus Ride” by Nora Mercelis, 8, of Baltimore
- “Save Our Beautiful Bay” by Lucille Shellhammer, 9, of Nottingham
- “The Road to Green!” by Alexis Bowers, 9, of Clinton
- “Cherry Blossom Commute” by Eloise Holman Nall, 14, of Baltimore
- “Riding Towards a Greener Future” by Katherine Truong, 15, of Silver Spring
“Public transit is essential to building a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “This competition is a powerful reminder to leverage the creativity within our community and the impact we can have when we work together.”
The Earth Day artwork will also be displayed in the Maryland State Department of Education Superintendent’s Student Gallery on Baltimore Street. Photos and more information on the Earth Day Art Competition are available at mta.maryland.gov/earthdayart.
“Clean public transit isn’t just smart -- it’s necessary,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “Transportation makes up 40 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions. We’re proud to stand with the Maryland Department of Transportation and these students as they lead the charge for electric transit buses, protecting our environment and building healthier, more sustainable communities.”
“Environmental solutions are here on our streets, in our schools and the choices we make every day,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “Our ultimate goal in education is to prepare students to address challenges they will experience in their lives. Today we see how students’ diverse strengths and their care for the world can be weaved together with incredible results.”
Today’s unveiling of the Earth Day buses took place at the Baltimore Museum of Art, an iconic Baltimore institution that embodies the spirit of creativity and community and whose core value is the belief that access to art and ideas is integral to a vibrant and healthy civic life.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates local and commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook or YouTube and follow us on Twitter/X and BlueSky.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 202-352-0377
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
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