Chula Vista trolley riders have something new to gaze upon besides their smartphones as the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) unveils two vibrant murals at the E Street Transit Center, both deeply steeped in community significance. MTS, with a helping hand from Caltrans' grant funding, has been on a mission to "color the corridor," transforming utilitarian transit stops into canvases that celebrate local culture and history. According to an MTS release, the initiative also touts practical improvements like increased shade, lighting, and safety.
Steve Goble, MTS Board Vice Chair and El Cajon City Councilmember, highlighted the parallel progress in amenities and aesthetics, asserting that engaging art can make a pit-stop more palatable, not to mention more personal. Goble told an MTS publication, "Our goal with these murals is to make our transit stations more inviting to riders through art that is culturally relevant and speaks to the communities we serve."
Local talents Michelle Guerrero, aka Mr. B Baby, and the Rainforest Art Project have crafted these installations to mirror their surroundings. Guerrero's "Tracks of Time" charmingly charts Chula Vista's journey from its indigenous roots to its diverse present, all through the playful lens of Mexican rag doll characters and picturesque sceneries. Regarding her work, Guerrero noted, "Through this mural, I aim to honor the cultural significance of Chula Vista, highlighting the importance of representation and the strength that comes from our diverse backgrounds," a sentiment shared with an MTS statement.
The other piece, "Treasures of the Bay," is a glass mosaic celebration of local sea life and is a creative kudos to the Living Coast Discovery Center. This Rainforest Art Project work weaves in the area's rich wildlife history, according to Maria Titova, Executive Director of the project, who said in an MTS interview, "The design brings the vibrant colors and rich ecosystem of the South Bay into everyday life, guiding travelers with a flowing mural that mirrors ocean waves and invites connection to the bay." A nod to the past, a wink to the present, and a promise for the future culture, ecology, and a touch of aesthetics thrown in for good measure.
