Public Art Sprouts Along LA’s New D Line

Los Angeles Metro’s D Line has just unveiled a trio of striking artworks that invite commuters to pause and reflect. Each installation is thoughtfully curated by artists who weave personal identity, local history, and architectural motifs into vivid visual narratives.

Wilshire/Fairfax – Ken Gonzales‑Day

• Medium: Photographs from LACMA’s collection
• Technique: Camera work shifted from dark to bright, echoing the journey from underground to street level
• Theme: Reimagining a museum setting that reflects Los Angeles’ diversity, drawing on Gonzales‑Day’s Mexican‑American and queer identities

“The project lets me reimagine a museum setting in a way that reflects the city’s diversity,” Gonzales‑Day says.

Wilshire/La Cienega – Soo Kim

• Medium: Layered images of Wilshire buildings overlaid with foreign architecture
• Feature: A large abstract map above the platform
• Goal: Offer commuters something new each day; art remains free and open 24/7

“Commuters should find something new each time,” Kim notes.

Wilshire/La Brea – Mark Dean Veca

• Medium: Mural that evolved from a sketch into twenty separate vignettes
• Focus: Neighborhood’s past, present, and people
• Impact: Vivid lighting that fills the space, described by Veca as a powerful experience

Metro’s Art Initiative

• Funding: A small share of construction funds
• Purpose: Turn stations into art galleries, honoring local history, museums, and even underground fossils
• Access: Visitors can view the work for less than two dollars—money that would otherwise go toward museum tickets

“Anyone can visit the work for less than two dollars,” a Public Arts director explains.

Looking Ahead

Metro plans to complete the full D Line by 2027 and is already selecting more artists. QR codes on placards allow travelers to scan and learn about each creator.