Have you heard about the Freedom Bus Project? It’s a collaboration between AC Transit and the Alameda County Office of Education that aims to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Rosa Parks’ historic bus ride in Montgomery, Alabama via an art competition for students. The winners of the art competition will have their art displayed, not in a museum or a government building, but on buses!
From the press release:
Elementary, middle and high school students in the AC Transit service district, which spans Alameda County and West Contra Costa County, have submitted social justice-themed artwork to be considered for the Freedom Bus Project’s mobile art exhibit. Starting in April, four of the winning entries will be displayed in over 200 buses in the AC Transit fleet, allowing AC Transit riders to participate in the Freedom Bus Project. The mobile art exhibit will be on display until April 30, 2011.
Additionally, artwork created by Berkeley High School Arts and Humanities Academy students depicting scenes from the Montgomery Bus Boycott has been “wrapped” by Titan Worldwide onto the exterior of the official AC Transit Freedom Bus. The official AC Transit Freedom Bus will be on display at the March 25th event. Thereafter, it will embark on a one-day Freedom Bus Tour, with stops at three schools, and it will be placed in regular service on AC Transit bus lines.
Sounds pretty awesome, huh?
This Friday, the Freedom Bus Project is hosting a party to celebrate the project and to unveil the Freedom Bus. Sadly, I’ll be in LA, but if I were in town, I would definitely check it out.
Here’s the info on the event and a preview of the bus. I hope someone attends and shares photos!
THE FREEDOM BUS PROJECT’S
Art Exhibition and Community Celebration
Friday, March 25, 2011
6:00 to 9:00
Oakland School for the Arts
530 18th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Formal Program begins at 7:15 pm
– Unveiling of the Freedom Bus, featuring artwork by Berkeley High School’s Arts and Humanities Academy
– Winning entries for the mobile art exhibit
– Vocal and theatrical performances by local students
– Exhibition of artwork submitted by K-12 students
The event is free and open to the public, but the Freedom Bus Project would appreciate your RSVP to event@freedombusproject.com.
Living in the O 
Leave a Reply