Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 23, 2009

Artwork proposals approved for Dulles extension and Farragut North

Metro works with community groups to select artwork

Public art will grace the new rail stations that will be built for the Metrorail extension to Dulles and an art installation will be placed in the Farragut North Metrorail station this summer.

The Metro Board of Directors today approved artists’ proposals for public art projects at the first five Dulles Corridor stations and a separate art project to be installed at the Farragut North Metrorail station.

Metro is managing and coordinating the public art component for the first phase of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail station project. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is funding the art projects at the first five Dulles extension stations.

Metro’s Art in Transit Program worked with MWAA to conduct a competition for the public art proposals for the five stations. Community representatives, the Fairfax Arts Council, art and design professionals, and Metro, MWAA and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation selected the five artist proposals out of 167 submissions. The artists are Martin Donlin for Tysons East, Ray King for Tysons Central 123, David Dahlquist for Central 7, Barbara Grygutis for Tysons West and David Wilson for Wiehle Avenue.

“The selection of artwork for Metro stations is always a cooperative effort between Metro and the communities that surround the stations,” said Michael McBride, Metro’s Art in Transit program manager. “What better way to celebrate the cultural interests that define our neighborhoods.”

The artwork approved for the Farragut North Metrorail station is by artist, Jefre Manuel, and is loosely inspired by the maritime travels of Admiral David Farragut. It is illuminated by Light Emitting Diodes and is designed to respond to the customers’ movements as they ride the adjacent escalator. The artwork will be installed this summer on the east wall of the station entrance at Connecticut Avenue and K Street, NW.

Metro worked closely with the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) and DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (DCAH) to select the artwork. The Golden Triangle BID and DCAH are funding the art project at the Farragut North Metrorail station.

Metro’s Art in Transit Program, installs artwork throughout the Metrorail system to enhance the travel experience of Metro customers, and works with artists, community groups, government agencies and businesses to select and install artwork that captures the spirit and vitality of the region.

Media contact for this news release: Cathy Asato or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.

News release issued at 2:22 pm, April 23, 2009.