The 'Aspire Bus Shelter' is a public sculpture as well as a functional bus shelter for the community to use. This bus shelter was a collaborative piece between artist Ed Dolinger, Valley Metro, and the students of Patrick Henry High School. Together they designed and constructed this public work of art which now stands at the entrance to the school.

As written in the dedication pamphlet of “Aspire," Ed Dolinger said, “this “shelter sculpture,” titled “Aspire,” has arrived through a long journey and many hands. The initial design direction was driven by several sessions in Jennifer Fowler’s 3D design class at Patrick Henry High School. Many designs were carefully winnowed down to the final two that we (the students) presented to Roanoke City Council. These two designs morphed over the succeeding months as the input of site restrictions, engineering and building code concerns were addressed and integrated in the studio. I was pleased to present the final design to City Council as both a functional bus shelter and as a freestanding sculpture.” Ed Dolinger said, “it is my hope that all bus patrons, students and the community in general will enjoy this shelter as a functional and visual addition to the Grandin area.”

Numerous subcontractors and tradespeople from the community also helped with this project. Sherry Tucciarone, a Studio Art graduate, directed Ms. Fowler’s class in creating the twenty ceramic tiles added. John W. Johnson installed all the tile and precast elements, and Chris McBride did the sandblasting, priming, and painting. American Bethel performed all the welding, fabrication, and installation.

This project was issued by the City of Roanoke and the Greater Roanoke Transit Company. Artists were asked in the application how they would work with high school students in creating a design for a bus shelter in front of each city high school. After reviewing all applications, the selection panel recommended Ed Dolinger based on his artistic and teaching experience.

This project was funded by a federal grant received by GRTC and the city’s Percent for Art Program.

About the artist:
Ed Dolinger, a painter and sculptor who resides in Bassett, VA, studied at the Corcoran School of Art. His public art commissions include the Salt Lake City Library; the Park City, Utah, Transit Center; the Festival of Lakes in Madison, Wis; and the Lynchburg Children’s Museum. He was the founder and director of Metro-Arts, a nonprofit community arts facility in Salt Lake City, prior to returning to Virginia in 2000. Dolinger is represented in public and private collections across the country and has received numerous fellowships and awards.

Additional sources:
The Roanoke Times: Patrick henry High School Students Meld Creativity, Practicality in Bus Stop Design

City Dedicates its First Percent for Art Bus Shelter near Patrick Henry High School