SamTrans announced the winners of the third annual county-wide student art competition, “Art Takes a Bus Ride” at its monthly board meeting today. The eight winning designs, which were selected from more than 300 entries submitted by students from kindergarten to eighth grade, were judged to best illustrate the theme “SamTrans Gets You There.”

The public can look for photos of the artists and their winning entries on the Art Bus, which is “wrapped” in the colorful art work and photos of the artists. The bus will be used in regular revenue service throughout San Mateo County. In addition to the larger-than-life exterior display, the winning entries also are featured on posters inside SamTrans buses all summer.

SamTrans Board Chair Marc Hershman said, “I know that seeing the artwork will give SamTrans riders, as well as everyone who see the Art Bus, a lift.”

The grand prize-winning entry was submitted by Kezia Maximillian, a sixth grader at Daniel Webster School in Daly City. Her spirited portrayal of a street scene with people waiting for a SamTrans bus captivated the judges. Maximillian’s artwork also will be used on a monthly bus pass.

The entries featured people surfing at the beach, playing in the park and waiting for the bus. The young artists used a variety of media, including water color, acrylic paint, crayon and colored pencil.

The winners received a SamTrans Summer Youth Pass, a certificate and framed copy of the bus card that displays their art work, as well as an assortment of art supplies.

SamTrans collaborated with the San Mateo County Office of Education on the project. Superintendent Jean Holbrook said, “Thanks to this project, young people have the opportunity to display their artwork throughout the County and citizens get to enjoy the young artists’ talents.”

On a typical weekday, more than 13,000 young people ride SamTrans buses. This is more than 25 percent of the district’s total ridership. In addition to a discounted youth fare, tokens and monthly youth pass, the district also encourages young people to ride the bus by offering a deeply discounted summer youth pass for riders 17 years old and younger.