A new Metro bus stop shelter is coming to the corner of Main Street and 156th Ave. SE in the Lake Hills neighborhood. The structure, adorned with original art, is the product of seventh and eighth grade students at St. Louise Parish School.

Spearheaded by Amy Friedman, St. Louise School’s art teacher, the project is intended to promote the feeling of pride in the community and respect for shared surroundings. The students selected the project of painting the inside walls of the bus stop shelter as an elective class this fall.

The bus shelter is located just outside St. Louise School, and each day students will be able to see the artwork, as will hundreds of passing motorists and bus riders. The theme design chosen by the students is hot air balloons and the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Metro began its art/shelter program in 1989, but the idea has been in use at the national level for some time. Glenna Boltuch Avila, former director, citywide mural project in Los Angeles notes: “Murals are about people having an effect on their cities, taking responsibility for their visual and physical environment, leaving records of their lives and concerns, and in the process transforming neighborhoods, reducing vandalism and graffiti and creating new artists out of the youth of our communities.”

St. Louise are excited about the project.

“Mural painting lets you express your creativity for your community,” said Dominic, a St. Louise eighth grade student.

“During this time, I have learned that when you are painting, it takes teamwork!” confided seventh grader, Madison.

John, an eighth grader, said, “I realized how amazing Seattle and Bellevue really are!”

More information about St. Louise School is at www.stlouiseschool.org.