Metro will transform two passageways inside Deanwood station this winter with a large-scale art installation celebrating the Northeast D.C. neighborhood's history and culture.

The project is the first under "Created Together: Your Art. Your Community. Your Metro," a new initiative from Metro's Art in Transit program. Metro announced the changes as part of a broader shift from contracting artists project by project to building a standing pool of local creatives for temporary installations and digital displays across the system. WUSA9 reported on the effort Monday, Oct. 12.

"The DMV is home to an extraordinary community of artists, and Metro is uniquely positioned to bring their work to millions of customers each year," Sarah Meyer, Metro's chief customer officer, said in a statement.

The Deanwood installation will feature original artwork printed as large-scale vinyl wall applications in two pedestrian passageways at the station, located at 4720 Minnesota Ave. NE on the Orange and Silver lines. The application window for that specific project closed Monday, Oct. 12. Metro plans to notify the selected artist by Oct. 23, with design, production and installation running through November and December.

A community unveiling is scheduled for December.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Metro partnered with American University's Humanities Truck at Deanwood station to collect perspectives from riders and neighbors. Those conversations are meant to help shape the final artwork.

The broader "Created Together" push extends well beyond Deanwood. Metro's open call for its artist pool accepts submissions on a rolling basis. Artists from historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply, according to Metro's Office of Community Engagement.

To qualify, artists must live in D.C., Maryland or Virginia and be at least 18 years old. Individual artists and teams are eligible. Work spans visual, literary, performing, digital and interdisciplinary arts. Priority goes to artists within Metro's registered service area.

Selected work could appear as vinyl wraps on construction walls, digital screen activations, station installations on display for up to three years, or community event activations.

Metro aims to host four visual art projects and four live performances at its facilities over the next year. The initiative launched publicly on Tuesday, Oct. 6, with a "Let's Make a Scene!" event at Eastern Market station alongside Theatre Washington during Theatre Week. Metro said more than 300 people attended the live performances.

What's ahead

  • Oct. 23: Metro notifies the selected Deanwood artist
  • November–December: Design, production and installation at Deanwood station
  • December: Community unveiling at Deanwood station
  • Rolling: Artists can apply to Metro's Art in Transit open call at any time