The 'Coalesce 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, the students of William Fleming High School. Together they designed and constructed this public work of art which now stands at the entrance to the school. The installation of “Coalesce” at William Fleming High School completes the second of two bus shelters commissioned by the Roanoke Arts Commission.

Ed Dolinger wrote in the dedication pamphlet of “Coalesce,” “to quote Jerry Garcia, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” And a very satisfying, educational and rewarding one as well. It was an additional reward working with WFHS art teacher and fellow artist Jimmy Deck and his class during the better part of the school year to establish the basic design direction of the bus shelter.”

Other collaborators in the project were American Bethel, sandblaster/painter Chris McBride, contractor Steve Schroder, Providence Engineering, and Arts and Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings and the Arts Commission.

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.

Sourced from:
Information obtained from the dedication pamphlet of “Coalesce.”