Recognizing heritage and history: Bus shelter photomurals celebrating King County’s Latino community
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)
A celebration of the beauty and identity of the Latino community can now be seen through photomurals in King County Metro bus shelters around the region. The murals are a partnership between Metro and Latino Northwest Communications.
The highlight of the April 19 community event in the University District was the unveiling of photos recognizing the Ballet Folklòrico Bailadores de Bronce and a performance from the group created by students at the University of Washington.
The new bus shelter photomurals highlight the diverse cultures throughout Latin America, from mariachis to dance to events such as the Fiestas Patrias Parade and the annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration.
“Our region is a diverse tapestry of people who have made King County their home,” said Metro Deputy General Manager Ernest Kandilige. “Our Latino community is a celebration of countries and regions that are proud of their history and the events honoring cultures that have lasted generations. These displays are vibrant examples of those celebrations that they want to share with all riders.”
The artwork is on display at the following bus shelters:
- Northbound Beacon Avenue South and South Bayview Street: Juan Pérez Calleja’s photos capture the culture and folklore of various Mexican regions, as well as the Virgin of Guadalupe, an iconic symbol of Mexico and Latin America.
- Southbound Des Moines Memorial Drive South and South 96th Street: Photos by Mario Zavaleta show traditional dances from the states of Colima and Zacatecas in Mexico during the northwest community’s annual Day of the Dead celebration at Seattle Center.
- Northbound 14th Avenue South & South Cloverdale Street: The photos of Mario Zavaleta and Mauricio Tellez capture one of the most popular annual celebrations in the South Park community of Seattle, with the Fiestas Patrias Parade, organized by Sea Mar Community Health Center.
- Southbound 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Campus Pkwy: This shelter features Mario Zavaleta’s photos of the Ballet Folklòrico Bailadores de Bronce, founded by students and workers from the University of Washington in 1972 and still going strong.
- Southbound Lake Avenue South and Shattuck Avenue South (Renton Park-and-Ride): Brian Mendia’s photos highlight a vibrant mix of cultural traditions from Latin America. The images include Panamanian folkloric dance, proudly represented by Blanca Cataño and her group, Panama Folklore Seattle. The display is a celebration of the diversity of Latin American heritage through traditional attire, music, and dance, reflecting the richness of cultures of Panama, Mexico, and other Central America countries.
One final display will be installed later this year:
- Southbound Beacon Avenue South and South Lander Street: Displays portions of Mexican artist Fulgencio Lazo’s painting “Mercado de Bicicletas” (Bicycle Market), and reflects a commitment to creating accessible, sustainable transportation options that connect communities.
The displays are part of Metro’s Bus Shelter Mural Program, where artists and photographers from diverse backgrounds have transformed over 1,200 bus shelters into vibrant public art galleries that brighten neighborhoods across King County. The majority of the murals reflect the culture, history, and stories of our northwest communities.
The Latinos Photomural Project goes beyond just beautifying our bus stop spaces. It directly supports Metro’s goal of promoting sustainable transportation through Transit Demand Management (TDM) strategies. By combining culturally resonant artwork with TDM messaging, Metro seeks to inspire behavioral change, raise awareness, and encourage more people to avoid congestion and promote improved air quality by choosing transit.
Information on Metro’s Bus Shelter Program
QUOTES
“The Latino photo murals showcased at six bus shelters across King County pay tribute to the vibrant spirit and enduring presence of our Latino diaspora. We commend King County Metro for acknowledging the beauty, diversity, and cultural richness that our community contributes to the fabric of this region. This public celebration is a statement of inclusion, pride, and belonging.”
– Mario Zavaleta and Martha Sánchez-Zavaleta, Latino Northwest Communications
“This project is a reflection of what Transportation Demand Management is truly about—removing barriers, uplifting voices, and building a transportation system that reflects the diversity of our region. By celebrating Latino heritage at our bus shelters, we are showing that mobility is not just about moving people, it’s about honoring identity and creating space where everyone feels at home.”
– Penny Lara, Project Manager, King County Metro
The Project Team
- Mario Zavaleta, Martha Isabel Sanchez & Paola Reyes, Latino Northwest Communications
- Juan Aguilera, Graphic Design/Pre-press
- Dale Cummings, Bus Shelter Program Manager, King County Metro
- Penny Lara, Market Innovation, King County Metro.
Participating Photographers and Artists
FULGENCIO LAZO
Artist Fulgencio Lazo, is a Zapotec artist best known for his joyful, whimsical paintings, who has forged a successful international career over more than three decades from his studios in Seattle and in his hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico. He has had more than 50 solo shows throughout the United States, Mexico, and Japan and is represented by Seattle’s ArtX Contemporary and several Mexican galleries. He trained as a printmaker with Maestro Shinzaburo Takeda at the Fine Arts School in Oaxaca and at Cornish College. In addition to his own artistic production, Lazo works tirelessly to create inclusive, diverse cultural programs and spaces. Lazo has co-founded some of Seattle’s most iconic traditions within the Latino community, including Seattle’s annual Oaxacan celebration known as Guelaguetza, International Children’s Day, and the Day of the Dead celebrations at many venues, including the Seattle Art Museum.
MARIO ZAVALETA
Mario Zavaleta is a photographer, content creator, and documentary producer with over 30 years of experience in México and the United States, where he immigrated in 1986. As a former news producer and photojournalist, Mario has researched, coordinated, and produced news and special programs for national and local audiences. In 1998, he founded Latino Northwest Communications to create a company that understood the values and culture of Latinos in the Pacific Northwest. In 2022, he founded LatinoNW.com, a bilingual video portal with content relevant to the Latino community in the State of Washington. Mario’s principles are to use his communication skills and passion for journalism to educate and empower the community.
BRIAN MENDIA
Brian Mendia is a Guatemalan photojournalist based in Washington State for over 15 years. He has worked for newspapers such as Prensa Libre in Guatemala and La Raza del Noroeste in Washington State. He has also collaborated with the digital newspapers Nuestro Diario and SOY 502 and with the production company Latino Northwest Communications. Brian studied Communication Sciences and Journalism at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala and has covered numerous events in Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, and the United States.
JUAN PEREZ CALLEJA
Juan Pérez Calleja is a photojournalist from Mexico City who, for the past 14 years, has worked for the local Spanish-language newspaper El Sie7e Dias, covering events relevant to the Latino community in the Puget Sound. Juan studied Architecture at UNAM, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, but his passion for sporting events introduced him to journalism. Through his work, Juan seeks to shed light on his community’s color, cultural richness, and talent and capture the unique and unrepeatable details of Latinos’ everyday lives in this region.
MAURICIO TELLEZ
Mauricio Téllez is a photographer and videographer from Mexico City who has resided in Seattle for the last four years. Mauricio has worked primarily in marketing, doing product shots, fashion, and web design.