• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • 40 Under 40
  • Supplier's Directory
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
    1. Bus

    Artwork Installation Begins on Blake Transit Center

    June 1, 2015
    Related To: Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) (AAATA)
    TheRide
    Delgado’s work for TheRide is titled “Ann Arbor History and Culture,” and chronicles the culture and history of Ann Arbor through contemporary and historical photos that are incorporated into a unique cut tile with airbrush over photo-silkscreen medium.
    Delgado’s work for TheRide is titled “Ann Arbor History and Culture,” and chronicles the culture and history of Ann Arbor through contemporary and historical photos that are incorporated into a unique cut tile with airbrush over photo-silkscreen medium.

    Installation of exterior and interior artwork is underway at the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor. TheRide received submissions from 19 artists in response to its call for artwork for the new facility, as part of the transit center’s rebuild project. Following a competitive review process and public input period in January, 2014, Los Angeles artist Robert Delgado was chosen as the finalist.

    Delgado’s work for TheRide is titled “Ann Arbor History and Culture,” and chronicles the culture and history of Ann Arbor through contemporary and historical photos that are incorporated into a unique cut tile with airbrush over photo-silkscreen medium. The $60,000 budgeted for the artwork was provided through dedicated federal funding for transit enhancements. No local funds were used to help fund this project. Transit agencies are federally required to use one percent of annual federal funds towards transit enhancement projects.

    In describing his artistic approach, Roberto Delgado said “My work evolves from the reality of the photo. Both the easel work and public art murals have been based on the people and circumstances that I encounter, with both being an appreciation of the human figure.” Among his recent public art projects, Delgado created tiles, pavers, and murals for three Minneapolis light rail stations; as well as a 30-foot-high acrylic piece at the entrance to a Los Angeles Police Department station.

    Installation is being done by A2 Tile of Ann Arbor, and is expected to be finished within the next one to two weeks, depending on weather.