Research Triangle Park N.C. – Research Triangle Park, N.C.– As part of its Art In Transit Program, Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) will release a “Call To Artists” on November 19, 2004. TTA seeks artists and artisans from North Carolina and beyond to integrate works of art into the regional rail transit stations and along the rail line.

The program is part of TTA’s goal of creating community-oriented regional rail transit facilities that will contribute to the quality of life of local residents. The TTA Board of Trustees earmarked $600,000 of the rail project’s budget for this portion of the program. The rail transit system’s initial operating segment of 12 stations will connect Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh with 28-miles of track line.

“TTA is excited to launch the Art in Transit Program,” said John Claflin, TTA general manager. “The Call to Artists gives us the opportunity to attract national and local artists to integrate into the rail stations artwork that reflects this dynamic and unique region.”

Four opportunities exist for artists:

The "Ribbon" is viewed as an opportunity for an artist to design and implement an artwork that will “touch” or wind like a ribbon through the stations and station area plazas of the Regional Rail Transit System. Treatment will be focused in platform and plaza paving. One (1) artist will be selected for this opportunity.

“Community Gateways” is viewed as an opportunity for an artist to design railings that will be located in the Z-gate entry/departure areas of the stations. Although the railing designs at the stations will have a similar aesthetic signature, it is anticipated that the railing at each will reflect the character and feeling of the particular neighborhood served by each station. One (1) artist will be selected for this opportunity.

“Community Canvases” is viewed as an opportunity for an artist to design and implement unique artworks that will be integrated into the windscreens located on station platforms. This project is viewed as an opportunity for an artist to provide “canvases” for the communities served by each of the stations. It is envisioned that each Community Canvas will reflect the history, heritage and sense of place that is unique to the specific neighborhood or context. One (1) artist will be selected for this opportunity.

“Neighborhood Plates” are viewed as an opportunity for ten (10) North Carolina artisans to design and fabricate tile work or “dinner plates” for incorporation into the stations with brick clad columns. “I am excited that this opportunity gives our local artisans the opportunity to reflect the character of their communities into the rail stations,” said Carter Worthy, Chair, TTA Board of Trustees.

The “Call To Artists” is available on TTA’s Web site at www.rideTTA.org. Deadline for
submissions is January 7, 2005. A detailed list of submission requirements is found in the Call. The TTA Artist Selection Committee will select artists, and the TTA Arts Advisory Committee will approve the selections. The selection process will begin in Spring 2005.

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, RDU International Airport, RTP and Raleigh. The Triangle Transit Authority also provides commuter resources and hosts GoTriangle.org, the new on-line resource for the public transportation information in the Triangle. TTA plans to implement a rail transit system with stations connecting Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh, with shuttles linking RDU International Airport and RTP. The rail transit system is expected to be operational in 2008. For more information, visit http://www.ridetta.org/ or call (919) 549-9999.