Client: City of Grants Pass

Overview

The Bus Stops Here is a public art initiative intended to highlight Grants Pass’ newly expanded bus system. Can good art make bus commuting cool? We think so.
Designing together at a work table, we drew, cut, assembled (and disassembled), and completed the mock-up as we conferred. Thus the title, Conversation. The resulting duet in aluminum (with copper pendants) is informed with a jazzy cubist aesthetic. The syncopation of the projecting planes makes for an ever-changing gestalt of shapes, colors, solids, and voids as the viewer moves about the sculpture.
Conversation invites conversations, and before you know it, the ‘bus stops here.’

Goals

The City of Grants Pass was searching for ways to encourage more people to use public transportation. They designed and constructed six new bus shelters around the city and began the process of commissioning art for each. This free-standing sculpture was installed near a retirement center and welcomes riders to incorporate bus-riding into their daily schedule.

Process

Site Painters (team of Laura Bender and John Early) were invited to present a proposal to the city's art committee by the Oregon Arts Commission. We worked closely with the team at Sea Reach in the engineering and fabrication process. Close attention was paid to matching paint colors, choosing hardware, and attaining preferred alignment of all parts. Site Painters accompanied Sea Reach to Grants Pass for the installation where it was well-received.