OmniRide Celebrates Art that Moves Us Project with Ribbon-Cutting

OmniRide and Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) celebrated the unveiling of new bus shelter artwork on the NVCC Woodbridge Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a unique collaboration that blends public transit with student creativity. Through the partnership, OmniRide invited NVCC graphic arts students to create original artwork for two bus shelters on campus, transforming everyday transit spaces into vibrant works of public art. Student artists Betssy Lopez Vallejo and Jacob Sam were selected to have their designs installed.

“OmniRide is proud to partner with NOVA on this innovative project, which showcases the talent of student artists and enriches public art in the community,” said OmniRide Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider. “This initiative reflects our commitment to community engagement and to making transit spaces more inspiring and welcoming.”

Remarks at the ceremony were made by OmniRide Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider; Dr. Richmond Hill, Provost of NOVA’s Woodbridge Campus; and Victor Angry, Chair of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) Board of Commissioners. The event was attended by NVCC representatives, OmniRide staff, PRTC Board of Commissioners, and members of the campus community.

The project originated from a conversation between Dr. Schneider and Dr. Hill about enhancing the campus bus shelters. That discussion evolved into a collaborative effort between OmniRide and NOVA’s graphic arts program, expanding OmniRide’s Art that Moves Us initiative.

Rather than commissioning an external designer, OmniRide chose to work directly with NVCC students, providing them with a real-world design opportunity. OmniRide staff served as mentors throughout the process, offering professional guidance and feedback. All visual arts students at the Woodbridge Campus were invited to submit designs, and final selections were made jointly by OmniRide and NVCC faculty.