Programs that Celebrate Art’s Place in Travel and Our Lives
Much as travel is an indispensable part of our lives, so too is personal expression. SEPTA is proud to participate in several programs centered on the production of artwork and developing its relationship with the world of transit. Southeastern Pennsylvania is a region brimming with creativity, talent and vision. Tapping into this artistic spirit serves to both add beauty to SEPTA spaces and bring us closer to the community.
Artist in Residency
SEPTA’s Artist in Residency program took place from 2023-2024. During this time, artist and filmmaker Anula Shetty joined forces with us to explore where art meets mobility. Anula’s piece, entitled “Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit,” was an augmented reality experience. Riders could scan QR codes to view videos of Anula’s interviews with Philadelphians sharing their thoughts on the topic of daydreaming in transit. The Artist in Residency Program encouraged our passengers to look at public transit as not just a way to get around, but as a source of inspiration and cultural exchange.
Find out more about Anula and her other works on the Leeway Foundation site.
Mural Arts Partnership
“My Art Gives Me a Voice” by Lisa Kelley is a mural spanning 120 feet of wall space in Suburban Station. The artwork was produced through SEPTA’s partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, which fosters public art initiatives throughout the city. The dedication of the mural, hosted by SEPTA, took place on January 17, 2023.
Further details are on the Mural Arts website.
Art in Transit
“Enliven” by Nancy Blum is a sculpture made from steel and cast resin located at the SEPTA Bus Loop in Cheltenham Township, PA. Installed in 2012, the piece draws attention to the intersection of organic life and structural material, much as SEPTA’s services bring together people’s lives through the mechanics of transportation.
Learn more about Nancy and her practice on her website.
