Calling all artists! Create a Metro bus shelter photomural

Are you a photographer or artist interested in adding beauty to a King County Metro bus shelter? Metro is teaming up with Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) in a call for images to be installed as public art in our bus shelters.

The theme, “Show Us Your World – Cultural Heritage”, is intended to explore personal, cultural identity, and connection, or anything meaningful and important in your life. While all submissions will be considered, artists who want to submit images that represent their interpretation of “Show Us Your World” can present photos that express:

• Culture, values, and traditions that have been passed down from previous generations,
• Contributions of women and gender-diverse people,
• Shared bonds within a community,
• One’s history, identity, and bond to the past, present and future.

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of jurors from King County Metro and PCNW.

Entries can be submitted January 12 through February 8, 2026, through the Online Competition Application Form link: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=16591

All photos must be submitted through this online application form which includes submittal instructions as well as detailed information about the competition.

This call for submissions is open to all ages and the website provides information on project guidelines and submission specifications.

Many photographers don’t shoot in a panoramic format, and you can crop your work to fit the required 4:1 ratio. Artists are encouraged to take a slice out of your image or stitch together, tile or create a collage using several images. This is a great opportunity to be creative and do something unique with your work!

Photos selected for installation will be printed in one of two sizes:

• Up to 50 photos will be selected for printing at a size of 28.5 inches wide by 23.5 inches high, a ratio of about 5:4, for horizontal end panels in some shelters:

• Up to 50 photos will be selected for printing at a size of 12.5 inches wide by 23.5 inches high, a ratio of about 1:2, for the vertical end panels in some shelters.

 

Photos will remain in bus shelters for up to 10 years.

Metro and PCNW plan to select and print 100 photos to be installed over time in bus shelters as part of Metro’s Bus Shelter Mural program. The program beautifies neighborhoods and connects communities to public art.

The focus of the project is to incorporate art into everyday life throughout King County, increase the visibility of the photographic arts and make new perspectives and ideas available to all. Over 1,500 photo murals have been installed in Metro bus shelters since the launch of the project in 2010.

Thanks to the artwork submitted and curated over the years, Metro’s shelters in many locations are more beautiful, interesting and inspiring.