THUNDER BAY — Another Thunder Bay Transit bus has been transformed into a mobile showcase of local art.
An artist whose professional moniker is "boy Roland" won a competition that was part of the city's 50th anniversary celebrations.
"For this design, I've taken a very playful approach, turning iconic imagery of Thunder Bay into cartoon figures going for an adventure," he said. "Celebration makes me feel young and colourful."
Images include city landmarks such as the Tourist Pagoda, the Brodie Street library, and a curling stone.
Although the anniversary year has just passed, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng – chair of the 50th anniversary committee – described the bus as "a great tool for civic engagement, and another wonderful way" to celebrate the anniversary.
"The art bus is a beautiful example of capturing the spirit of Thunder Bay," Ch'ng said.
Entries to the competition were vetted by her committee as well as by the city's public art committee and the clean, green & beautiful committee.
Boy Roland's design also depicts the city's official flag as well as the LGBTQ+ flag and the flag of the Fort William First Nation.
"I feel it is important to represent our diverse community as Thunder Bay continues to heal, grow and achieve greatness...It's not a celebration if we're not doing it together," the artist said.
Louisa Costanzo, supervisor of cultural development and events for the city, said the project is important because it allows everyone access to art.
The theme of One City/Fifty Years "aims to showcase the history of Thunder Bay through people, success stories, culture, heritage and diversity," Costanzo said.
In 2015, the city wrapped one of its buses in an art concept by Satellite Studio Artist Collective.
It paid tribute to transportation history, and remained in service until 2018 when the wrap material was removed after reaching the end of its life.
