Takoma Park has moved closer to the Caribbean with a new coral reef, which has grown inside a bus shelter at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Hilltop Road. The City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division organized the project to share public art in unusual locations and encourage public transportation. “We wanted to create a fun design that would brighten people’s day while they’re walking by or waiting for the bus,” Arts and Humanities Coordinator Brendan Smith said. “Art should be shared with people where they live and not be be confined to art museums or galleries.”

Arts and Humanities Intern Paula Barrios designed the wrap which is a permanent installation. A second coral reef wrap will be installed at a later date on a bus shelter outside the ALDI shopping center on New Hampshire Avenue. Grab a face mask and snorkel and check it out! Take some photos at the shelter and share them on the City of Takoma Park’s Twitter and Instagram pages. Vinyl wraps promoting the Takoma Park Arts performance series also have been installed on three new bus shelters. Courtesy of the Takoma Park e-newsletter, available for sign-up here: takomaparkmd.gov/arts