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NJ Transit Turns Stations into Art Galleries

NJ Transit’s TRANSITional Art Project, launched in 2019 at Newark Penn Station, has expanded to eight stations across New Jersey, turning everyday commuter hubs into temporary art galleries. The program showcases murals and photography by local artists, including Beyti Barbaros, Jonathan Yumi, and Catherine Thurston, who depict the history and cultural impact of railroads over the past 250 years. NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri highlighted the project’s role in celebrating railroads’ contribution to nation‑building while providing a visual pause for commuters. The initiative also offers stipends to artists, addressing the scarcity of public‑art funding in transit environments. The most recent installation, “Tracks Through Time,” is displayed at Morris Plains Rail Station and features a three‑panel mural that ties rail history to contemporary life. By embedding art into transit spaces, NJ Transit aims to enrich daily travel experiences and foster community connection.

· Optimist Daily

The essential points

  1. 01NJ Transit launched TRANSITional Art Project in 2019, debuting at Newark Penn Station.
  2. 02The program now features eight stations, including Morris Plains, with murals and photography by local artists.
  3. 03Artists receive stipends, addressing the typical lack of funding for public art in transit spaces.
  4. 04The latest exhibition, “Tracks Through Time,” explores 250 years of American rail history through visual storytelling.
The full brief

NJ Transit’s TRANSITional Art Project, launched in 2019 at Newark Penn Station, has expanded to eight stations across New Jersey, turning everyday commuter hubs into temporary art galleries. The program showcases murals and photography by local artists, including Beyti Barbaros, Jonathan Yumi, and Catherine Thurston, who depict the history and cultural impact of railroads over the past 250 years. NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri highlighted the project’s role in celebrating railroads’ contribution to nation‑building while providing a visual pause for commuters.

The initiative also offers stipends to artists, addressing the scarcity of public‑art funding in transit environments. The most recent installation, “Tracks Through Time,” is displayed at Morris Plains Rail Station and features a three‑panel mural that ties rail history to contemporary life. By embedding art into transit spaces, NJ Transit aims to enrich daily travel experiences and foster community connection.