#ArtOnLink Changes How We Discover Art & Our Cities

By Amanda Giddon, Senior Consumer Marketing Manager, Intersection

“Look at everything as though you are seeing it either for the first or last time, then your time on earth will be filled with glory.” — Betty Smith, Author, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

That’s our aspiration for #ArtOnLink. To give local artists a platform for their vision. To let citygoers see their city for the first time, over and over again, through those perspectives.

When thinking about the dynamic places we call home, we recognize that how something is seen depends on who’s looking. As art lovers and city enthusiasts who happen to program the largest network of street-level digital screens in the world (convenient!), we saw an opportunity to share the work of local creators with unique and diverse perspectives at metropolitan scale.

#ArtOnLink artist Mari Andrew depicts the personalities of cities.

We started #ArtOnLink in 2017 with LinkNYC, and expanded the program with the launch of LinkNWK and LinkPHL in 2018. Since then, we’ve featured more than 100 artists, and seen more enthusiasm to participate and positive feedback than we could have ever dreamt up. Interspersed with local facts, transit updates, advertising, and more, #ArtOnLink has become a defining feature of Link and the streetscapes we inhabit.

When asked why they want to participate in #ArtOnLink, artists’ answers ranged from wanting to create moments of connection for their neighbors, to getting the chance to make someone’s day a little better, to sharing their perspectives, reaching new audiences (and potential clients), putting more art out into the world, making their parents proud, and simply put, sharing the love.

Vero Romero shared New York City stoops with the world. (This is a real, live, person, not an actor!)

We’ve heard from our partners that #ArtOnLink has ‘literally stopped me in my tracks,’ ‘creates a sense of community,’ and would be ‘the ultimate accomplishment.’ We’re honored to be able to provide this opportunity, and grateful for every individual who allows us to fall in love with our cities all over again through their art.

Here are some highlights that made walking to work, strolling on Sundays, and waiting for the bus a lot more beautiful:

Meredith Wing shared her Flower Girls with New Yorkers for Fashion Week. As an Instagram comment points out: “They are like visual candy 🍭 of fashion and illustration art …. Like a slot machine 🎰 I wonder which drawing will pop up on the next kiosk on the sidewalk as I walk away from one.”

Mari Andrew shared her ‘Magical Things I’ve Seen In NYC’ to spread warmth this winter. Instagram followers shared thoughts like “My heart stopped when I saw one!! So happy to have these around all the corners.”

Adam J. Kurtz gave us the self-love we didn’t know we needed this past Valentine’s Day. We were honored to share his wisdom on the street with existing followers and new fans. As one commenter on his Instagram points out, “Imagine being introduced to @adamjk for the first time like this. It would feel so fatefully huge WOW.”

Kern Bruce shared his stunning ‘Women of Newark’ portraits for Women’s History month on LinkNWK.

Overheard New York brought their often-ridiculous, always-entertaining New York City soundbites to life with illustrations including this one by Sharon Levy.

Michael Steinbrick shared his stunning ‘The Vortex’ series featuring images of Times Square.

Slanted Studios reimagined the five boroughs with their ‘Sandwiches of New York City.’ Manhattan was a Central Park-inspired falafel. [Not pictured: the Queens’ Unisphere-meets-bacon-egg-and-cheese.]

James Boyle’s Philly Tarot Deck brought city icons to life in a lively deck of 78 illustrations, many of which made their way to LinkPHL.

Paola Delucca brought her ‘People of the New York City Subway’ to life on Link.’ We loved ‘The Lovers,’ among ‘the dancer’, ‘best dressed,’ and more.

Glossblack brought graffiti-style art to life on Link in Philly, captivating people with his stunning typography.

And most recently, Ben Wagner and Isabel Castillo Guijarro curated 25 NYC-based LGBTQIA+ artists to showcase a vibrant and diverse range of contemporary queer creatives for Pride Month. Debbie Millman, Zipeng Zhu, Shantell Martin, Chella Man, Cute Brute, Adam J Kurtz, Loveis Wise and Amalia Andrade are among the artists featured. All of the art can be found here.

To see more incredible #ArtOnLink artists, you can check out the LinkNYC and LinkCities Instagram, or browse the #ArtOnLink hashtag. They’ll always keep you on your toes…

If you’re creating work about life in your city (currently: New York, Newark, or Philadelphia), and would like to submit for #ArtOnLink, let us know at ixn.co/artonlink. We can’t wait to see what you do.

Jeff Deng and Grant Shaffer celebrate their #ArtOnLink campaigns with #ArtAboutLink