SamTrans announced the winners of the fifth annual county-wide student art competition, Art Takes a Bus Ride, at its monthly board meeting today. The six winning designs, which were selected from more than 400 entries submitted by local students from kindergarten to fifth grade, were judged to best illustrate the theme “Connecting You to Fun!”

The grand prize-winning entry was submitted by Winson Luk, a fifth grader at Sandpiper Elementary in Redwood City. Luk’s colorful portrayal of a bus centered among fun places to go, included trips to The City, the beach, the park and school impressed the judges as the best illustration of the theme. Luk’s art will be used on a monthly bus pass.

The winning entries of all the artists are featured on ad cards inside SamTrans buses and will wrap the exterior of a SamTrans bus – the Art Bus.

SamTrans Board Chair Zoe Kersteen-Tucker said, “"From our scenic beaches and bountiful Farmers’ Markets to our vibrant parks and shopping centers – the Peninsula and coastside offer so many opportunities for fun and entertainment.” Kersteen-Tucker added, “The children’s art this year is a uniquely beautiful reminder that when it comes to connecting to fun places, SamTrans can take you there!"

The winning entries featured fun times at the beach, the movies, the park and, for some, school. The young artists used a variety of media, including watercolor, acrylic paint, crayon and colored pencil.

The winners received a SamTrans Summer Youth Pass, a certificate and a framed copy of the bus ad card that displays their art, 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, "Congratulations to the six young artists whose work has been selected from the more than 400 entries in this year’s Art Takes a Bus Ride competition. This year’s theme once again encouraged the students’ creativity and self-expression.”

On a typical weekday, nearly 12,000 young people ride SamTrans buses, 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.

Winning Entries

Grades K-1 Winning Entries Taylor Gee - Kindergarten
Nesbit Elementary, Belmont
Teacher: Ms. Richins

Joseph Torrey – First Grade
Central Elementary, Belmont
Teacher: Ms. Switick

Grades 2-3 Winning Entries Jacinda Stevenson – Third Grade
Martin Elementary, South San Francisco
Teacher: Ms. Dragan

Gabriel Dao-Pick – Third Grade
Ocean Shore, Pacifica
Teacher: Ms. Gamble-Dorn

Grades 4-5 Winning Entries Ben Wagner – Fifth Grade
La Entrada, Menlo Park
Teacher: Ms. Ostrom

Winson Luk – Fifth Grade, Grand Prize Winner
Sandpiper Elementary, Redwood City
Teacher: Mrs. Powers

05/13/09 - msk
Media Contact: Mary Knuckles, 650-508-6356