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[Portland is crowned the winner of the 2022 Best Bus Stop competition!](https://usa.streetsblog.org/2022/04/18/and-americas-best-bus-stop-is/)

Portland artist Ebenezer Akakpo incorporated his native Ghanaian Adinkra symbols in his design of Hope & Friendship, a powder-coated steel cut design on the 519 Congress St. bus shelter outside Mechanics' Hall.

Best Bus Stop in the USA!

## Creative Bus Shelters

Creative Portland, in partnership with the [Greater Portland Metro](https://gpmetro.org/) and the [Greater Portland Council of Governments](https://www.gpcog.org/), has initiated a Creative Bus Shelter program made possible by a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) "Our Town" grant award. Four artists were selected for Phase I of the project to install their vision using the canvas of the bus shelter for public art. In May 2021, Creative Portland received a second award from the NEA to continue and expand the project. Phase II commenced July 2021 with an open call for five more bus shelters, with installation completed in late summer 2022. 

The project strengthens communities by engaging local artists and arts administrators, in partnership with transit providers, and in collaboration with the [Office of Economic Opportunity](https://www.portlandmaine.gov/2108/Office-of-Economic-Opportunity) and the [Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center](https://www.welcomeimmigrant.org/), for positive social impact and systems change. The goals are to encourage multi-modal transportation, increase ridership, and to promote awareness and social acceptance through art installations that utilize bus shelters as the canvas for public art on the theme of celebrating diversity and inclusion.

[See the video here.](https://youtu.be/L9y1Qs9b1rA)

[Read the Phase II press release here.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/18HQSi6UGLO_yoHH1YWd0nAIpKq5qDiwR/view?usp=sharing)

**Title:** We the People

**Bus Shelter Location:** Portland Public Library (5 Monument Square)

There are currently at least 63 languages spoken in the Portland public schools. Emphasizing language and scripts in its design, We the People bus shelter honors and celebrates this deep cultural richness.

[Zenab Bastawala](www.zenbast.com) is an award-winning typographer and type designer who takes a multi-script and multi-lingual approach while teaching typography and design as an Assistant Professor at Maine College of Art & Design, Portland. 

[Karen Merritt](www.thinkpunkgirl.com) is a writer, community health advocate, engineer and engineering instructor whose creative roots grow at the intersection of advocacy × public health × community outreach. 


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Zenab Bastawala and Karen Merritt

**Title:** The Reason We Come Together

**Bus Shelter Location:** Empire Chinese Kitchen (575 Congress Street)

***We meet today and tomorrow under this bus shelter to wait for the vehicle that will transport us to the destination of happiness. We are on one knee until happiness is available to all human beings regardless of culture, gender or race. Making happiness a collective project is the reason we come together today*.**

[Titi de Baccarat](https://www.titidebaccarat.com/), a multidisciplinary artist: painter, sculptor, jeweler, clothing designer, writer, and activist, is dedicated to building inclusive communities and seeking justice, especially in hostile political environments. Mr. de Baccarat was forced to flee his country, Gabon, with only the wealth of his artistic ability.

He firmly believes that whatever form it takes and whatever functions it may have, the primary essence of art is to awaken human consciousness so that human beings can thrive and contribute to the life of their community.


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Titi de Baccarat

**Title:** Ghost Gear

**Bus Shelter Location:** Deering Ave at USM Roundabout

[Carter Shappy](https://www.studioshappy.com/) is a visual artist, printmaker, designer, illustrator, and art technician who for over a decade has been documenting ghost gear – a fishing industry term for abandoned, littered and otherwise lost rope, nets, cords and lines that end up as flotsam throughout our ocean.


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Carter Shappy

**Title:** Oxbow

**Bus Shelter Location:** Northern Light Mercy Hospital (175 Fore River Parkway)

Oxbow is a tribute to the landforms and patterns left behind by centuries of river action in the estuaries and marshes surrounding Portland. This natural phenomenon is part of an environment common to all citizens of Portland, regardless of class and background.

[Ben Potter](https://benpotterstudio.com/home.html) is interested in the oscillation between representation and abstraction. Many of his pieces are derived from the landscape and examine how we experience and make sense of our surroundings. Born in Tennessee, he has lived and worked in Maine since 2006. 

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Ben Potter

**Title:** Youth in Bloom

**Bus Shelter Location:** Deering High School (377 Deering Ave)

[Jocelyn Lee](https://www.jocelynleestudio.com/)’s passion for nature and her embrace of the full spectrum of young people’s identities inspired the floral still lifes and open air portraits on display, collaborations which reveal that local youth are as vibrant and diverse as the landscapes and seascapes of Portland, Maine, in which they live and play. 

A graduate of Yale University, with an MFA from Hunter College, Ms. Lee, a 2001 Guggenheim fellow, has exhibited internationally as well as locally, and is represented in collections at the Portland Museum of Art, the Bates College Museum of Art, Colby College Museum of Art, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, and the Farnsworth Art Museum. Lee is also the founder of Speedwell projects, a nonprofit gallery in Portland whose mission is to promote mid to late career women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to their work.  


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Jocelyn Lee

## Review Committee (Phase II: 2021-2022)
- Dinah Minot - [Creative Portland](/explore-creative-portland)
- Kat Violette - [Greater Portland Council of Governments](https://www.gpcog.org/)
- Denise Beck - [Greater Portland Metro](https://gpmetro.org/)
- Ebenezer Akakpo - [Akakpo & Co](https://www.akakpo.com/)
- Kelly Hrenko - [USM Art Department](https://usm.maine.edu/art)
- Daniel Minter - [Indigo Arts Alliance](https://indigoartsalliance.me/)


## Sponsors (Phase II: 2021-2022)
[3form](https://www.3-form.com/) - Koda XT panels provided courtesy of 3form, fabricated and cut in Salt Lake City and shipped to Maine for installation. 3form is the leading manufacturer of award-winning, eco-friendly resin and organic materials, and architectural hardware solutions for the Architecture + Design industry.

[DesignTex](https://www.designtex.com/surface_imaging) - Operating out of a state-of-the-art, 26,000 square foot facility in Portland, Maine, DesignTex Surface Imaging Division is composed of an expert team of artists, technologists and craftspeople working together to create beautiful, engaging and one-of-a-kind environments. DesignTex has offered in-kind vinyl printing services to Creative Portland for the Phase II project including “We The People” by Zenab Bastawala and Karen Merritt, “Oxbow” by Ben Potter, “Youth in Bloom” by Jocelyn Lee, and the Phase I shelters created by Justin Levesque and Pigeon, as well as all vinyl plaques for the entire initiative. 

[City of Portland’s Public Health Department](https://portlandmaine.gov/221/Health-Human-Services), in collaboration with [Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN)](https://www.myan.org/) builds young people's leadership on issues of social justice, restorative practices and public health. A student program facilitated by Val Johnstone, Madelene Cyr, and Samantha Liang allowed students to interact with the local artists to learn about messaging, photography, marketing and installation. 

[Alison Hildreth](https://alisonhildreth.com/) - A Portland treasure, Alison Hildreth is a lifelong artist and community activist. Her support of Carter Shappy’s installation expresses her gratitude for the hundreds of hours that Mr. Shappy has dedicated to assisting her in the studio. 

**Title:** Hope & Friendship

**Bus Shelter Location:** Mechanics' Hall (519 Congress Street)

**Artist Instagram:** [@akakpoanco](http://instagram.com/akakpoandco)

Ebenezer Akakpo received his BFA from Maine College of Art (‘01), and his master's in Industrial Design from Rochester Institute of Technology. His artwork, jewelry and home goods are available at Maine Craft Portland (behind this bus shelter), PMA Store at the Portland Museum of Art, or online at [www.akakpo.com](http://www.akakpo.com/).

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Ebenezer Akakpo


**Title:** Seaweed Shelter

**Bus Shelter Location:** Portland Transportation Center (100 Thompson Point Road)

**Artist Instagram:** [@davidwilsonpaint ](https://www.instagram.com/davidwilsonpaint)

Wilson was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, and moved to Maine in the 70s. A painter, printmaker, and designer, he earned a B.A. in Painting from St. Martin’s School of Art London and an M.F.A. in Painting from Syracuse University in New York.

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David Wilson

**Title:** Glacial Retreat

**Bus Shelter Location:** USM/88 Bedford Street

**Artist Instagram:** [@onedynamicsystem](http://instagram.com/onedynamicsystem)

Portland-based [Justin Levesque](https://onedynamicsystem.com/) is an interdisciplinary artist. He earned his BFA in Photography from the University of Southern Maine and has exhibited throughout the United States, and internationally in the United Kingdom and Iceland. His shelter represents the mortality rate of cod in relation to unprecedented high temperatures of ocean waters off the Maine coast. His installation was feautured by his alma mater in this [article](https://usm.maine.edu/art/justin-levesque-usm-alumni).

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Justin Levesque

**Title:** The Mainer Project 

**Bus Shelter Location:** St. Johns Street/off Congress 

**Artist Instagram:** [@attilamendez](http://instagram.com/attilamendez)

[Pigeon](http://www.pigeonnation.com/about-us-1), aka Orson Horchler, is a French street artist based in Portland who cares about belonging and sharing an intercultural space. Portraits from "The Mainer Project" represent Pigeon’s personal connections and friendships. Some of the subjects have resided here their entire lives, while others arrived recently from abroad -- and some have left Maine after being subjected to overwhelming xenophobic speech and actions. The artist’s hope is to incite community building by inspiring discourse on identity and by confronting the attitudes that prevent us from feeling at home in the place we live. His installation was featured in the [Portland Press Herald!](https://www.creativeportland.com/sites/default/files/files/pressherald_com-Creative%20Portland%20installs%20art%20in%20city%20bus%20shelters.pdf)

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Pigeon

## Review Committee (Phase I: 2020-2021)

- Dinah Minot - [Creative Portland](/explore-creative-portland)
- Zoe Miller - [Greater Portland Council of Governments](https://www.gpcog.org/)
- Greg Jordan - [Greater Portland Metro](https://gpmetro.org/)
- Daniel Minter - [Indigo Arts Alliance](https://indigoartsalliance.me/)
- Jaime Desimone - [Portland Museum of Art](https://www.portlandmuseum.org/)
- Fred Yalouris - [Rock Row/Waterstone Properties](https://waterstonepg.com/portfolio/maine/rock-row/)


## Sponsors (Phase I: 2020-2021)

[American Steel & Aluminum](https://americansteelandaluminum.com/locations/maine): Devoted to quality and integrity, this national company has Portland roots. As the only metals distributor in the state of Maine, the in-kind sponsor supplied materials and high-tech laser cutting services for artist Ebenezer Akakpo’s powder-coated steel design.
ASA’s Portland, ME facility is located directly off the Maine Turnpike (I-95), where American Steel & Aluminum began 200 years ago, just up the road on Portland’s Long Wharf. Today, their 80,000 square feet of space has full processing capabilities that carry on a two-century tradition of
quality and service.
 
[Designtex](https://www.designtex.com/surface_imaging): Operating out of a state-of-the-art, 26,000 square foot facility in Portland, Maine, DesignTex Surface Imaging Division is composed of an expert team of artists, technologists and craftspeople working together to create beautiful, engaging and one-of-a-kind environments. They provided in-kind vinyl printing services to Creative Portland for the shelters by Justin Levesque and Pigeon.
 
[Portland Industrial Coating](https://www.portlandindustrialcoatings.com/): Is a team of powder coat specialists that can take on single item custom creations, or tackle high scale industrial contracts. P.I.C. lent their powder-coating services to Ebenezer Akakpo’s laser-cut steel sheets.
 
[Rock Row (Waterstone Properties)](https://www.rockrow.com/): is contributing support for the Creative Bus Shelter Initiative. Centered around a 400-foot wide, 300-foot deep rock quarry, the 110-acre Rock Row development will attract more than 6 million guests a year from across the state, region and country— brimming with life and excitement 365-days a year with destination retail, chef-driven dining, inviting workspaces, modern residences, hip hotels, diverse entertainment, and more, all in a fun, comfortable, immersive experience that fully embraces nature and green space.

Top L to R: 1. David Hopkins, Hopkins Gallery; David Greenham, Maine Arts Commission; 2. David Wilson, Artist; Mayor Kate Snyder, City of Portland; Dinah Minot, Creative Portland; David Hopkins; 3. Lynn Tillotson & Kirstie Archambault, Visit Portland

Center: David Wilson, Artist

Bottom L to R: 1. Angela Adams, Artist; David Wilson, Artist; 2. Dave Wade, Dave Wade Photography; David Greenham; David Brenerman, Creative Portland Board; David Hopkins; David Wilson; 3. Greg Jordan, GP Metro; Kelsey Halliday Johnson, SPACE; Kate Anker, Creative Portland Board; David Brenerman; Cary Tyson, Portland Downtown; Dinah Minot; Caitlin Cameron, City of Portland; Angela Adams; Chris Chop, GPCOG.

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June 1, 2021 Ribbon Cutting Highlights - Seaweed Shelter by David Wilson

# PRESS

[OMGVoice, "This Ghanaian Designer Just Won 'America's Best Bus Stop' Award for his Colorful Adinkra Design"](https://omgvoice.com/news/this-ghanaian-designer-just-won-americas-best-bus-stop-with-is/)

[Portland Press Herald, "Portland Entry Wins National Best Bus Stop Contest"](https://www.pressherald.com/2022/04/15/portland-bus-stop-gets-outvoted-by-boston-competitor-in-national-contest/)

[Portland Press Herald, "Portland Bus Stop a Finalist in National Competition"](https://www.pressherald.com/2022/04/14/portland-bus-stop-a-finalist-in-national-competition/)

[Streetsblog USA, "And America's Best Bus Stop Is..."](https://usa.streetsblog.org/2022/04/18/and-americas-best-bus-stop-is/)

[Streetsblog USA, "America's Best Bus Stops 2022"](https://usa.streetsblog.org/category/americas-best-best-stops-2022/)

[Streetsblog USA, "America's Best Bus Stops Round 1: Public Art Meets Public Transit"](https://usa.streetsblog.org/2022/03/24/americas-best-bus-stops-round-1-public-art-meets-public-transit/)

[Bangor Daily News "These Creative Mainers are Transforming Humble City Bus Shelters into Works of Art"](https://bangordailynews.com/2021/06/27/news/portland/these-creative-mainers-are-transforming-humble-city-bus-shelters-into-works-of-art/)

[Portland Press Herald, "Portland Unveils New Seaweed Shelter"](https://www.creativeportland.com/sites/default/files/files/pressherald_com-Portland%20unveils%20new%20seaweed%20bus%20shelter.pdf)

[Portland Press Herald, "Briefs: New bus shelter artwork installed"](https://www.pressherald.com/2021/06/04/briefs-319)

[Amjambo Africa "Bus Shelter Spreads Message of Hope and Friendship"](https://www.amjamboafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Amjambo-Africa-Vol-3-No-7.pdf)

[Portland Press Herald "Going Out for Art"](https://www.centralmaine.com/2020/09/21/going-out-for-art/)

[The Portland Phoenix "Gimme Shelter"](https://portlandphoenix.me/gimme-shelter-portland-bus-stops-become-vehicles-for-artistic-expressions-of-diversity/)

[Portland Forecaster "Art Starts at Bus Stops"](https://www.creativeportland.com/sites/default/files/files/pressherald_com-Art%20starts%20at%20bus%20stops%20(1).pdf)

[USM Monday Missive Item #9](https://usm.maine.edu/president/monday-missive-sept-9-2020)

[WCYY "The New Bus-Stop Shelter Art in Portland is Amazing"](https://wcyy.com/the-new-bus-stop-shelter-art-in-portland-is-amazing)

[USM Free Press "USM Art Alum Justin Levesque's Work Selected for Portland Bus Shelter Installation"](https://usm.maine.edu/art/usm-art-alum-justin-levesques-work-selected-portland-bus-shelter-installation)

[WMTW News, Channel 8 "Art displays at Portland bus stops raise awareness for social issues"](https://www.wmtw.com/article/art-displays-at-portland-bus-stops-raise-awareness-for-social-issues/33563314)

[Portland Press Herald "Creative Portland installs art in city bus shelters"](https://www.creativeportland.com/sites/default/files/files/pressherald_com-Creative%20Portland%20installs%20art%20in%20city%20bus%20shelters.pdf)

[Maine Biz "10 Maine arts organizations land $1M in NEA funding"](https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/10-maine-arts-organizations-land-1m-in-nea-funding)

[Portland Press Herald "Creating Comfort and Joy"](https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/23/creating-comfort-and-joy/)

[Portland Press Herald "NEA grants nearly $1 million to 10 Maine arts groups"](https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/16/nea-grants-nearly-1-million-to-10-maine-arts-groups/)

Creative Bus Shelters Initiative

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