As part of a renewed effort to weave art into the daily commute, BART's Poster Art Program is now spotlighting the watercolor masterpieces of Obi Kaufmann across its network. Kaufmann, a renowned poet-artist-naturalist, is the illustrator behind Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide by Jeff Miller, the fresh pick for the spring 2025 One Book One BART book club.
Launched in collaboration between BART Communications, BART Marketing, and the BART Art Program, the initiative is more than just eye candy for transit riders. BART's Chief Communications Officer, Alicia Trost, emphasized the community value of integrating art in transit spaces. In her words, per BART's website, "Transportation agencies throughout the United States and internationally have seen the importance to community and customers in bringing art and culture into transit spaces." This not only fosters a sense of belonging but also contributes to passenger safety, as gleaned from the feedback of the Not One More Girl initiative.
With his brush, Kaufmann has painted a trifecta of Bay Area biodiversity, from "Big, beautiful birds of the Bay Area" to spotlighting threatened native species. Indeed, each art panel serves as a reminder that opting for public transport, like BART, plays a part in preserving the habitat these creatures call home. Art Program Manager Jennifer Easton noted, cited by BART, "Artworks enhance the travel experience with education, joy, information about, and celebration of a particular location and its unique characteristics." She added that Kaufmann's work reflects his passion for California's fauna and the role of public transit in environmental stewardship.
For a hands-on experience, Kaufmann is set to partner with BART on May 3 for a "BART Train Expedition." During the ride, he will narrate the history and ecology of the East Bay, treating passengers to tales of water, fire, infrastructure, trees, and more. Those interested in tagging on this unique ecological odyssey can visit BART's website to RSVP. Furthermore, Kaufmann’s original BART paintings will soon hit the digital shelves as art prints and "Animals by BART" t-shirts through BART's Railgoods store.
