Through the Eyes of Artists was initiated in 2003 to creatively celebrate the many cities and neighborhoods Metro serves from the unique perspectives of artists. In the tradition of colorful travel destination posters, Metro Art commissions artists to capture the magic of these wonderfully varied places. Their artworks are then translated into elegant poster designs and displayed inside a fleet of more than 2,500 buses.
As a nod to the city’s aviation and aerospace legacy, artist Álvaro Daniel Márquez carves out the bustling skyline of Hawthorne with a prominent rocket and aircraft booming skyward, while the iconic water tower and street life point towards everyday life.
Evans celebrates the city’s centennial and 100 years of beach culture by commemorating its groundbreaking lifeguard service, iconic pier and museum, a female surfing champion from the 1930’s and the quirky environment of surf and sand culture.
Dusk shrouds Highland Park homes and LA freeways while downtown’s skyscrapers are sihouetted against a fiery twilight.
A kaleidoscope of frenetic activity bursts over the racetrack, airport and beach.
Titled by the artist, Jardin de las Rocas (garden of rocks) — the name given to the area by early Spanish settlers — the artwork celebrates the rich confluence of landscapes, cultures and histories that intersect within the city of Irwindale.
Koreatown is depicted as a photo collage of bustling commerce with storefronts, malls, street life and urban signage that collectively provide a one day snapshot of this distinct community.
The artist saw La Cañada/ Flintridge as an emerald city floating above Los Angeles with beautifully tree-lined streets with unique sunlight afforded to mountainsides.
Brilliant green, blue, iron and orange converge in a kaleidoscopic photomontage, recalling the famed peacocks, historic rail tracks and blossoming aloe that one might encounter at the Arboretum.
The town of Lakewood, California turned what was once an agricultural landscape into one of the first suburbs and model for planned communities across the nation.
A haven for jazz, hip-hop, blues, poetry, artwork and great soul food- Pace visually evokes one of LA’s best-kept secrets.
The iconic red Yagura Tower and the blue tile roofs of Japanese Village Plaza emerge from a vivid collage of washi paper and colored pencil, against a swirling wood grain surface, creating a contemporary landscape of a neighborhood landmark.
An imaginary, underwater dreamscape playfully intertwines jellyfish, sea vegetation and caves with iconic Long Beach landmarks, including the Astronaut Islands, El Dorado Nature Center and The Walter Pyramid at California State University, Long Beach.
The sublime experience of a wild, open space where mountains meet the sea and humans harmonize with nature is captured in this intricate line drawing.
Lindsay Carron’s drawing celebrates the biodiversity and family-oriented atmosphere of Marina del Rey.
Zellen is interested in the patterns, structures and design of the urban environment and uses a wide range of imagery culled from the mass media as well as historical archives.
Inspired by the displays of artifacts at the Monrovia Historical Museum, a pictorial jewel box depicts flora and fauna happy at home in this foothill community
Using an animation style, the artist depicts a multi-ethnic community that is colorful, active and vibrant while also acknowledging its geography of hilly terrain and historical landmarks.
Inspired by the eclectic atmosphere of the NoHo Arts District, Abramovic has depicted the comedy, musicals and cabarets featured at the Whitefire, El Portal, Secret Rose and Raven theatres.
Sarah Stone’s tribute to Northridge captures all the unique charm of this vibrant community. From its bustling shopping districts to the scenic bike trails that weave through lush parks, this poster reflects the dynamic mix of urban energy and natural beauty that locals love.
Levi Ponce depicts his hometown of Pacoima where Van Nuys Boulevard blooms with local residents enjoying street art, eateries and new community infrastructure.
Renowned for fostering parades and festivals, Pasadena is represented in a whimsical procession of playful characters marching through his hometown.
Ramirez’s depicts Pico Rivera with palm trees in silhouette against a glowing sunset sky.
Ian Robertson-Salt draws from the everyday visuals of Pico-Union—the early-1900s residences of the Alvarado Terrace District, the glow of storefronts in the morning, the bold creativity in local arts spaces, and the landmark Doria Apartments that reflect an era of early Los Angeles growth.
Romero pulls together a wide variety of cultural icons from the city’s history including the LA County Fair, Antique Row, the Arts Colony, the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum, and the goddess of Pomona herself.
The sea breeze flows at its own pace through a delightful stretch of shops, merging old and new together info vivid blocks of color.
