FORT SMITH, Ark. — Fort Smith residents might notice new places to sit and shelter from the elements while waiting at the bus stop.
Rather than being traditional bus stops, the city's transit shelters display art from local artists.
The new art-infused transit shelters are a project that Downtown 64.6 has been working on for several years in collaboration with the city’s transit department and local artist Sarah Ridgley.
The shelters are meant to shield people who are waiting for the bus from the rain or the sun while showcasing artwork created by students in the area.
The idea started with Ridgley, who was inspired by an experience she had.
“I was driving somewhere, and I passed this guy in the rain, and he was holding all these bags of groceries,” Ridgley said. “He had them even down around his feet, and it was just pouring on him.”
Ridgley said she stopped and gave the man an umbrella she had in her car.
“He was so grateful and happy, and it made me really happy, so it stuck with me for a long time,” she said.
Years later, when she had the opportunity to work on a charitable project, that memory came back to her.
“I remembered that moment, and I thought, ‘I would really love to take that umbrella moment and make like, a permanent moment, a permanent opportunity for people to get out of the rain to get out of the sun, just to have shelter while they're waiting for the bus,'” Ridgley said.
Now, thanks to the collaboration between Ridgley and Downtown 64.6, there are 10 shelters placed around the city. Two of the shelters feature artwork by Ridgley and the rest feature artwork by local students.
The artwork is meant to be soothing, aiming to create a pleasant place to wait for the bus.
Talicia Richardson, executive director of Downtown 64.6 said everyone behind the shelters hopes this will create moments of peace in people’s days and promote mental health and mindfulness.
“You’re in the elements, had a long day at work, and you need to stop at the grocery store. How soothing would it be to sit on the bench and be in the midst of breathtaking artwork provided by students?” Richardson said.
Art Infused Transit Shelter locations
- North 3rd at B St.
- Garrison Ave. at North 8th St.
- Grand Ave. at North 10th St.
- Rogers Ave. at South 8th St.
- Rogers Ave. at South 9th St.
- Garrison Ave. at Gateway Park
- Rogers Ave. at Gateway Park
- South B St. at Court Building
- Baptist Health front entrance
- Lexington Ave. at South I St.
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