The folks at TARTA and the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo are once again taking their act on the road. On Dec. 7, they will be hosting the public unveiling of this year’s Art in TARTA project. Art in TARTA, which is now in its fifth year, will showcase five new bus wraps featuring original designs created by students in the Bowling Green State University design department, as well as poetry by apprentices from the Arts Commission’s Young Artists at Work program.

TARTA bus

“Art in TARTA is our way of literally bringing the arts to the people. There is no other program like this in the city of Toledo. It’s something one might expect from larger cities like New York or Chicago. We have been able to develop outstanding working relationships with organizations like the Arts Commission, the University of Toledo, and BGSU. More than ever, TARTA remains committed to continuing the core program,” said TARTA Project Manager, Jason P. Binder.

Once again this year’s theme was “Restore Planet Earth.” Past themes have included bridges, jazz and glass.

According to Binder, “We chose to return to last year’s theme due to enthusiastic community response. Honestly, the topic is one we could probably spend a few years on. The changes that we have made over the years have been based primarily on community suggestions and/or concerns. For example, in past years you couldn’t see into the bus, but now that’s changed, allowing us to address security concerns, while also making exciting modifications in terms of how the featured artwork is presented.”

This year’s design jurors include Pat Levey and Marc Folk from the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Stephen Atkinson from TARTA, Tom Lingeman from the University of Toledo, and Alana Twelmeyer from Madhouse. This year’s poetry jurors include representatives from TARTA, the UT, Toledo Free Press, Toledo City Paper, and the Toledo Poets Center.

“One of my favorite Art in TARTA success stories from the past few years is Tyler Fortney, a 2006 program participant, who now works as a designer at Madhouse on Jackson St.,” said Michelle Carlson, arts commission program coordinator.

The Art in TARTA unveiling reception will run from 2 to 4 p.m. with an awards recognition ceremony featuring music and refreshments at 3 p.m. The gallery exhibition featuring award-winning poetry and graphic designs will be on display in the Parkwood Gallery through Dec. 23. The Parkwood Gallery is located at 1838 Parkwood Ave.

For more information, call (419) 254-2787 or visit the Web site www.artintarta.org.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Wheels.
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