People Mover Locally Rooted Art Initiative
People Mover's Locally Rooted Art Initiative brings original artwork to bus stop signs across Anchorage, celebrating the city's land, culture and community while honoring the
Dena'ina people as the original stewards of this land. Through the project, artwork by a local artist will appear on more than 680 People Mover bus stop signs, bringing public
art into everyday spaces across the transit system.
After reviewing submissions from artists across Alaska, a selection panel has chosen Anchorage artist Julia Ditto as the winner of the initiative.
The Winning Design
Anchorage artist and science illustrator Julia Ditto created the winning design.
Ditto's design illustrates the range of natural habitats found across the Anchorage area, from the Chugach Mountains to Turnagain Arm. Arranged as stacked layers from alpine to sea level, the artwork highlights plants and animals connected to these landscapes and reflects the ways the Dena'ina people historically moved through and relied on them.
Ditto's artwork will be reproduced and installed on approximately 680 People Mover bus stop signs across Anchorage, bringing locally rooted art into everyday public spaces across the transit system.
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The Selection Process
The initiative received 77 submissions from artists across Alaska. A selection panel representing public art, educations, practicing artists, museums and community leadership
reviewed all eligible submissions.
In the first phase, panelists reviewed mock-up designs, artist materials and written concept statements. The three proposals that received the most panelist support were
selected as finalists and invited to develop full artwork designs. Each finalist received a $1,000 stipend to complete their final design and the winning artist received a $4,000
award.
In the final round, panelists evaluated the completed designs considering craftsmanship, originality, creativity, required elements and connection to Anchorage's land, culture and
community. Based on this review, the panel selected Julia Ditto's design as the winning artwork.
Artwork Submitted to the Initiative
The Locally Rooted Art Initiative received 77 submissions from artists across Alaska, each offering a unique perspective on Anchorage's land, culture and community.
Below is a slideshow featuring the artwork submitted during the first phase of the project.
Along with Julia Ditto, artists Jasmine Edelle Ross and Dean Potter were selected as finalists and invited to develop full designs. People Mover thanks the finalists - and
every artist who submitted work - for sharing their creativity and connection to Anchorage through this project.
What's to Come
Julia Ditto's winning design will be installed on approximately 680 People Mover bus stop signs across Anchorage. Installation will roll out in phases across the city
beginning this fall.
A community celebration will take place this spring to recognize the winning artist and give the public a first look at the new bus stop sign design before installation begins.
More details will be announced at a later date.
For additional inquiries, contact the People Mover Art Project Management team at PeopleMover@Thompsonpr.com.
For full details on Phases I & II of the initiative, click here.