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London’s Rapid Transit Shelters are getting a splash of local art by Katie Wilhelm

London’s Rapid Transit Shelters are getting a splash of local art

Friday, January 16, 2026

The City of London will begin installing public art on Rapid Transit bus shelters in spring 2026, starting with eleven shelters along the Downtown Loop and East London Link corridors.

This initiative builds on feedback gathered during the Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment, where residents highlighted the importance of shelters that reflect the character and history of their neighbourhoods. As a result, the artwork will reflect themes such as Indigenous culture, local history, diversity, arts and music, transportation, wellness, and education.

Public art will be installed in stages between 2026 and 2028, coordinated with ongoing Rapid Transit construction. The first installations will focus on shelters along the completed Downtown Loop and the East London Link (construction ongoing until late 2026). Additional artwork will follow as shelters are completed along Wellington Gateway and remaining East London Link locations.

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Above: Map of Rapid Transit corridors, including the Downtown Loop, East London Link and Wellington Gateway, showing the stages of art installations across all planned and built Rapid Transit shelters.

For the first rollout of art, including the installation at Ontario and King, artists were selected through the City and London Arts Council’s established programs, including the Community Arts Investment Program and the Public Art and Monument Program. Future stages will include more calls for proposals and opportunities for community input.

The first art panels installed at the Ontario and King shelter are now in place. Midway Memories, by local artist Katie Wilhelm, blends archival imagery of London’s Western Fair District with contemporary brushwork, connecting the city’s history with its present-day identity.

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Above: London’s first Rapid Transit shelter was installed at Ontario Street and King Street in spring 2024 and is the first to receive public art.

During final installation, a crack was identified in one panel of the artwork. The panel will be replaced in the coming weeks. This issue does not affect safety or the overall installation. As the first installation, this shelter lets the project team test materials and methods while giving residents an early look at how art will enhance transit shelters across the city before the first rollout in spring 2026.

The project team is now collecting community input for the next series of art installations. Residents are invited to share ideas for future shelter artwork at the following locations

  • Dundas at Kellogg’s (Eastbound and Westbound)

  • Dundas at Eleanor (Eastbound, with McCormick to follow)

  • Highbury at Corinne (Northbound and Southbound)

  • Highbury at Oxford (Northbound and Westbound, mirrored stations)

  • Queens at Clarence (Westbound)

Residents are encouraged to share ideas that align with the themes identified in the Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment. These ideas will help guide the development of future public art.

To contribute an idea for one of the above shelter locations, please complete the form on the project page: https://getinvolved.london.ca/rapidtransitart

For more information and to subscribe for email updates on public engagement and installation timelines, visit the project’s webpage.

Last modified:Friday, January 16, 2026

Source: https://london.ca/newsroom/feature/londons...
tags: art
categories: Media, Artwork
Friday 01.16.26
Posted by Katie Wilhelm
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© Katie Wilhelm, Indigenous Designer and Consultant, 2009–2025  

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