Painted bus stops

Painted Bus Stops
Waiting for a bus is more like sitting in Grandmas living room thanks to Graeme Richards

Come join us in search of painted bus stops as we continue making the most of showcasing some free things to do in our beautiful hometown. This weekend take advantage of the warm and sunny morning and spent some time getting out and about in the suburbs starting with a drive to East Fremantle to do something a bit different.

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We headed there in search of painted bus stops.  Yes that’s right, bus stops.  We all know a bus stop is a designated place where buses stop for passengers, they are normally on a highway and are distinct. Bus stops are common in pop culture, there was Marilyn Monroe’s film called Bus Stop, a scene famous by Forrest Gump takes places at a bus stop and most episodes of South Park feature main characters at a bus stop. But none as distinct or more easily recalled than the old concrete bus shelters that have received an artistic makeovers in East Fremantle.

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City of Melville, we’d heard, are providing young people the opportunity to contribute in the community by designing public art. We also found some painted by Brenton See in Forrestfield.

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This unique collaboration between City of Fremantle and local educational institutions has given some bus stops a new lease on life. It is believed one strategy to minimise the effect of graffiti artists is to sponsor street art. And it seems to be working.

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First we saw a shelter painted to reflect the champion community based Western Australian Football League (WAFL) club, East Fremantle, AKA Old Easts or The Sharks. The bus stop is right outside the 1898 club grounds and playing field of East Freo football club.

The next, my favourite, a cute cosy interior of a cottage house painted by Graeme Richards. As with all his artworks there is great detail in this, a rear wall with potted geraniums, a window with French shutters, a dado wall with the wall above adorned with wallpaper, ornamental plates, even flying ducks from the 60’s. There is a wedding photos, china ornaments and on the adjacent wall, a pink and grey galah sits.

We came across “The Cheesy Stop” painted by Jesus Zeigler in the City of Melville introduced as part of their strategic plan to incorporate public art in the local community by running a “Happy stimulus package” to provide paid work to local artists.

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Another shelter is completely painted with roses, one is painted in a musical theme, another is pink and mystical with bats and trees. There is another bright and cheery children’s painting of a cityscape.

Other local councils are now transforming dull and boring bus shelters with children’s art. The regional town of Geraldton has also introduced a boost of colour to their bus shelters.

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Bus stop art has made waiting for bus more attractive thanks to the Urban Arts program.

Have you seen any artistic bus stops like these?

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21 Responses

  1. Christine says:

    Hi there, thanks for the awesome shout out on the City of Fremantle youth urban art program but did you know that none of the bus stops you’ve showcased here are in the City of Freo? All the bus stops pictured here are from Town of East Freo – all commissioned, and City of Melville part of the community Adopt a Stop program from a while ago. Please check our website under young people, then urban art for some of the works done by young people in the City of Freo if you’d like to update some of your images. The Monument Hill, Freo Prison and Freo Hospital ones are some of the great iconic ones done by young people ?

  2. What a creative idea! It’s interesting because since the city permits the art, its now called street art, not graffiti. I think this is such a fun way to decorate a city and inspire its youth.
    Dana @ Green Global Travel recently posted…45 Going Green Tips for Travelers This Earth DayMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      I agree Dana, it’s a very creative idea. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

  3. Great post, Lyn! Such a good idea to let them young’ens at the bus stops. It really does work on cutting down on graffiti though. I remember reading about a guy starting up a programme in Brazil to get kids off the streets and out of gangs to produce these amazing wall murals. It got the kids on track and beautified the city at the same time. That’s what I call a win-win!
    Thanks for sharing pics of your neighbourhood though. What a fun thing to do.
    Jim Butcher @ MrAndMrsRomance.com recently posted…Friday Drinks – the Bearded Tit, Redfern, AustraliaMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Jim, I love sharing our beautiful neighborhood as it’s not as well visited as the east coast. It sure is win-win with these bus stops, it is all too frequent we see them covered in graffiti which costs the community. Much better to invest in a program to give them a voice through their art.

  4. Anda says:

    These look unbelievably beautiful! We don’t have anything like that here, in California. I’ve seen some very beautifully painted subway stations in some of the European capitals.
    Anda recently posted…The Weekly Postcard: Lunch at Bravo FarmsMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Something interesting and unique to while away the time waiting for a bus… great concept I think. I’ll keep my eye out for the painted subways in Europe later in the year. Thanks for your comments Anda.

  5. Isabella says:

    Hahah, Lyn, this is so funny! I believe such a bus stop makes a day brighter even when it rains 😉
    The idea of fancy bus stops reminds me a little of Japanese strawberry shaped bus stops.
    Isabella recently posted…Frozen Rivers of SiberiaMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for your comments Isabella. I love the surprise of finding art where it is not expected, this is street art at its best.

  6. Kelly says:

    Love this idea! It definitely makes public transport more fun and colourful! I would love to see this initiative take place in my local area 🙂
    Kelly recently posted…Visiting the Driest Place in the World, San Pedro de AtacamaMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Kelly. I think this is a wonderful creative way to showcase street art.

  7. I love these painted bus stops especially the living room. Wish Transport for London would introduce these 😉
    Suze the Luxury Columnist recently posted…Lunching in luxury at The Mondrian LondonMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Suze that living room is so well done, complete with all the finer details. Thank you for your comments.

  8. Kirsty says:

    I love this post – it takes street art to a niche level! The bus stop that looks like a living room is a classic.
    What a great local initiative too – it beats seeing a bus stop covered in meaningless graffiti 🙂
    Kirsty recently posted…Tuesday Travel Shot | The Old Bridge at Mostar in Bosnia & HerzegovinaMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      I totally agree Kirsty, it is a great initiative. The living room was my favourite bus stop. Thank you for your comment.

  9. Anne says:

    Great post Lyn, I’m in Perth too so should get out and see those! I love street art … did you post something on a mural tour a while ago? I’ve yet to do that, but will. Perth is painting it’s streets and it’s great to see! Cheers, Anne

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for your comment Anne, no I haven’t been on a mural tour, but would love to.

  1. […] you enjoyed this post you may want to check out our Painted Bus Stops. Please come back in the future too where we’ll bring you some of Fremantle’s statues. […]

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