Art in Transit

Art in Transit Whakatū/Nelson: Bus Shelters as a Community Canvas is a trial project that has used art to transform a bus shelter at 523 Main Road Stoke (in between St Barnabas and Pūtangitangi) into a vibrant and engaging space.

Stamps of Isel by Nelson artist Amy Adams is a colourful design of stylised stamp-like panels that celebrate some of the distinctive trees in nearby Isel Park.

Amy’s aim is for the artwork to transform a functional space into a welcoming and visually engaging point of interest for commuters and passers-by.

Amy says that she had been thinking about the project for a few years, “The idea began in 2023 while I was working as a designer for an outdoor signage company, and really started thinking about how bus shelters would be fantastic sites for community murals.

"The concept evolved further during my studies at NMIT, where I looked at different cities around the world who had really embraced this idea. As part of this, I created a prototype for the bus shelter on Main Road Stoke, near Isel Park.

"The design is very specific to that site, drawing inspiration from the distinctive trees of Isel Park and celebrating the incredible collection of heritage species.”

In her final year at NMIT, Amy was being mentored by Make/Shift Spaces, who took the proposal to Nelson City Council.

“We could see the potential straight away,” says Anne Rush, General Manager at Make/Shift Spaces.

“We all know about the power of public art for revitalising our urban spaces, and our projects like ArtWalk, ArtDoors and ArtWorks have had a real impact around the city, encouraging people to take notice of their environment, and really enjoy the city spaces.

"Projects like Art in Transit also provide a platform for artists, creatives, community and special interest groups to fill spaces with vibrant installations and activity, and to engage with the broader community.”