"I want to thank the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission for being a great partner in our endeavor to bring creative energy and joy to our community," said Henry Li, SacRT General Manager/CEO. "We are continually looking for ways to improve our riders' experience, contribute to the beautification of Sacramento, and operate in afiscally prudent manner. Art-wrapped trains accomplish each of these objectives."
SacRT officials say Chacón’s art creates spaces of belonging and builds community through art. Nunes' artwork is described as a surreal and condensed landscape environment created with impenetrable vegetation, sunny colors, and subtle texture. They said Warner wanted her art to be colorful,whimsical and relatable to the people of Sacramento, while Wellman chose bright and cheery colors with a countdown as the train arrives in a whimsical city.
The artists were selected from a special registry based on their individual bodies of work and the fact that the work would suit the scale of light rail trains. The wrapped trains will be traveling throughout the Sacramento region.
"These four artists represent such range in terms of their content, subject, style and design. Each artist came up with a unique message, completely different from the other, which is what I love about this exhibition," said Patrick Kennedy, Chair of the SacRT Board of Directors and Vice Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. "Art does many things – it inspires, it creates conversation and it brings joy. SacRT is proud that our trains can bring a positive visual impact and message in each community."
SacRT officials said they see the artistic wrapping as an efficient and cost-effective way to improve the exterior of older light rail trains.
Funding for the project was provided by SacRT.
