The City of Bloomington invited artists in the city to create designs for a chance to become a permanent part of the campus history. These locally made designs would be displayed on six new bus stop shelters being installed by the end of 2025. Malory Owen, an artist who specializes in stained glass designs, answered the cities call.

This project is more than just art, uniquely for both the city and Owen. The City of Bloomington wanted to incorporate art into the bus stop shelters as a way to promote climate change awareness, a subject that Owen happens to have a large interest in. Owen often focuses on telling ecological stories with her artwork.

“Coming from the world of conservation biology, one of the biggest challenges we have is helping people connect with [climate change],” Owen said. “It’s hard to care about something you don’t know about or don’t understand. So, what better of a vector then sparkly and pretty to help illustrate these concepts and ecological stories.”

Owen received her Masters in Field Biology before pursuing her passion for art. She picked up the hobby during the COVID Pandemic, and has transferred those self-taught skills into a full time job. Since then, this was Owen’s first opportunity to take on a project beyond selling commissioned art. Owen felt like the time was right. One of her many wishes in a more eco-conscious future is increased use of public transit.

“It’s great! I really want public transit to be more of a regular use for regular people on your average day,” Owen said. “I think there is a big stigma around it, especially in areas where it’s not New York, Toronto, Chicago, where public transit is just the go to.”

Holly Warren, the City of Bloomington Assistant Director of the Arts, has a similar vision to Owen. The goal with introducing the new bus stop shelters is to reduce emissions by having more people choose the bus system. The bus stop shelter locations were strategically selected and placed where Bloomington is the hottest. Although it also has proven economic benefits, Warren shares her personal interest in making the project an artistic one.

“Climate change is such a big, in your face issue right now,” Warren said. “I just love being able to incorporate art into helping to do something about that, it’s really important.”

For Owen, it is more than just an interest. She genuinely believes in the change her art can make on those dependent on the bus system.

“Trying to make [public transit] a more attractive option, something that is not going to be quite so dreary on your daily commute that is already hard enough,” Owen said. “I think public art, in regard to beautifying spaces that we need to encourage to be used, is kind of the answer.”

Three total artists had their designs selected to be displayed. Sneak peeks of the designs below were created by Owen, Izzie Aguilar, and Rachel Kavathe.

The six bus stops receiving shelters are located at 15th Street near Lindbergh Drive, South Henderson Street near Graham Drive, East Winslow Road & South Walnut Street Pike, South Walnut Street Pike @ College Square Apartments, 765 South College Mall Road near Old National Bank, and 313 East Miller Drive.

“That’s kind of my mission overall,” Owen said. “I always say, telling sacred stories of ecology through art.”