Zeitgeist, in partnership with the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) and local artist Carolyn Olson, hosted a Bus Shelter Art dedication on Wednesday, July 22, at the bus shelters located at 13th Avevnue East and Superior Street, near the Plaza Shopping Center and Burggraf’s Ace Hardware.
This dedication celebrates the installation of four new bus shelter murals created by Olson, each depicting transit riders across the four seasons. The event is part of the Twin Ports Bus Shelter Art Project, a collaborative initiative between the DTA and Zeitgeist Center for Arts & Community.
Launched in 2025, the Bus Shelter Art Project aims to transform transit shelters throughout the service area into vibrant public art spaces. By featuring original work from regional artists, the project seeks to beautify shared spaces, celebrate public transit, and encourage increased ridership. The long-term vision is to install artwork at every bus shelter across the Twin Ports.
The first installation in the project debuted in 2025 along 6th Avenue East, following a community-led redesign of the corridor. Improvements to the street included enhanced safety features such as ADA-accessible intersections, dedicated turn lanes, traffic calming elements, and a green median — creating a more welcoming environment for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders alike.
“How we move around our community is often shaped by our sense of safety and comfort,” said Andrea Crouse, Community Placemaking Manager at Zeitgeist Center for Arts & Community. “While we continue working toward long-term infrastructure improvements, we are also embedding our corridors with creative, beautiful stories through public art. These murals strengthen a sense of belonging and pride in our neighborhoods, and we are grateful for our partnership with the DTA, which provides canvases across the Twin Ports.”
Community members are encouraged to attend the dedication and celebrate the role of art in public spaces. Those interested in supporting the project or learning more about sponsorship opportunities can contact dclark@duluthtransit.com.
To stay informed about future installations and open calls for artists, join the Zeitgeist mailing list.
