Dunedin Artist Turns Mundane Bus Shelter Into Cheerful Statement About City

DUNEDIN, FL — On Friday morning, Dunedin city officials gathered to dedicate the latest public artwork that not only provides a statement about the community but gives residents shelter from the elements.

Artist Catherine Woods was responsible for the artwork decorating the bus shelter at the First United Methodist Church, 421 Main St. It was produced under the Public Art Master Plan and implemented by the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee.

“The challenge was to enhance an existing downtown bus shelter with an engaging statement about Dunedin,” said Elizabeth Brincklow, Dunedin's arts consultant who served as the project manager. “The design problem was for artist Catherine Woods to solve, which she did to our delight. The elements are coated metal discs created in the spirit of Celebration. Each piece has cutout icons — water, a sailboat, orange slices, bicycle wheels, a thistle and a puppy — all celebrating things Dunedin is known for.”

This is the first project completed under the Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) adopted by the city in 2018. "Celebration" features a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority-donated bus shelter downtown at Main Street and Douglas Avenue, across from Pioneer Park.

“We have been in a years-long pursuit to create a public art master plan, find a credentialed art administrator and the necessary public funds to support making Dunedin an arts and culture destination,” said Jackie Nigro, chair of the city’s Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. “This project is a joint venture between PSTA, the First Methodist Church and the city of Dunedin Economic Development Department. The selection committee chose nationally known artist Catherine Woods to perform the bus shelter’s transformation into this charming work. We were most pleased when Catherine applied for the project and even more so when she was selected by the panel.”

"I was very pleased to partner on this artistic project and hope it brings a smile to the faces of our residents and visitors," said Robert Ironsmith, director of the Economic Development Department."

Additional features include circle shapes in the concrete floor of the shelter that repel water, echoing the art and making a dramatic appearance when it rains. St. Cate Fine Arts, a local fine arts collection management and preservation team, did the final installation of pieces and lighting.

Catherine Woods’ company, C Glass Studio, is based in St. Petersburg. Her large-scale public artworks in steel and glass, often as tall as 24 feet, can be seen throughout the greater Tampa Bay area and nation wide. Her favorite mediums for making art are stainless steel, aluminum, glass and tile.

“I saw the call for artists from the city of Dunedin and applied,” said Woods. “They wanted something to celebrate downtown, a joyful addition. When we were installing the pieces, people were so friendly and curious. The whole project was fun, happy, like a cheerful party all the time.”

Nigro says the success of the "Celebration" project prepares the Public Art Program for four upcoming projects of larger scale. However, as the program moves forward during the coronavirus pandemic, Dunedin City Manager Jennifer K. Bramley believes the little bus shelter offers something extra.

"It is perfect,” said Bramley. “Who would have thought when the project started that we would need it to boost our spirits during this difficult time.”