In-progress artwork design by Mickalene Thomas for Leimert Park Station, concourse level.

Here are five things to know about the artworks-in-progress for the future Leimert Park Station. The artworks will contribute to a welcoming environment for riders and connect the station to surrounding neighborhoods.

Detail of in-progress artwork design by Ingrid Calame for Leimert Park Station, street level.

Ingrid Calame– Glass Entrance Pavilion

1. The artwork designs are composed from rubbings that Ingrid and local youth have made from textures found in the neighborhood.
2. Textures are from doors, gratings, signage, architectural design elements, and other street surfaces.
3. The rubbings form abstracted depictions of the textures’ sources, capturing a moment in time like a library of signs from the neighborhood.
4. Making visible the textures found in everyday street life imbues value on objects that we often overlook or assume will always be there.
5. Transparent colorful glass walls will complement the textures’ imagery.

Detail of in-progress artwork design by Mickalene Thomas for Leimert Park Station, concourse level.

Mickalene Thomas – Concourse Wall Mosaic

1. Mickalene’s artwork design blends painting and photo collage techniques, which will be rendered in mosaic.
2. The artist wanted to highlight the neighborhood’s mix of urban and natural architecture.
3. The design includes references to the Japanese gardens that dot Crenshaw, Leimert Plaza Park’s fountain, the iconic Vision Theatre, and the outlines of Los Angeles International Airport’s Theme Building—a reference to the southern terminus of the new corridor.
4. Incorporates the California poppy and planters found along Leimert Park’s sidewalks, and uses the neighborhood’s street grid to structure the collage.
5. Color palette references Los Angeles’s abundant sunshine.

Detail of in-progress artwork design by Dean Erdmann for Leimert Park Station, platform level.

Dean Erdmann – Platform Level Porcelain Enamel Steel

1. Dean’s artwork concept explores physical and imaginative movement, reflecting on the opportunities the line brings for sharing the cultural richness of Leimert Park.
2. The artwork’s effect of photographic double exposures on 35mm film mimics the dynamic movement of living in a city.
3. The artist views the train station environment as a celebration of possibility.
4. The artist has navigated Los Angeles without a car since 2009, relying on Metro’s bus and rail systems for transportation.
5. In a nod to Leimert Park’s creative legacy, the artist is organizing a free community event in partnership with a local organization.

Click here for more information about the Crenshaw/LAX Art Program.

Click here for more information about Metro Art.

Past Crenshaw/LAX artwork stories on The Source:

Fourteen artists selected to create art for Crenshaw/LAX Line project

How you can be part of the artwork

Metro Art hosts free design workshops with local teens