Metro Art unveils newest “Through the Eyes of Artists” poster, spotlighting Hawaiian Gardens 

On Monday, February 16, Metro Art unveiled the latest poster in the Through the Eyes of Artists series, celebrating the city of Hawaiian Gardens.  

The series has celebrated cities and neighborhoods that Metro serves from the unique perspective of artists for more than 20 years. Through late April, riders will be able to view Hawaiian Gardens through the eyes of artist Felix Quintana. 

A tribute to Hawaiian Gardens 

Tucked between Long Beach and Cerritos in the Gateway Cities region, Hawaiian Gardens is the smallest city by area in Los Angeles County, measuring approximately 1 square mile. The city was affectionately called “Hawaiian Gardens” in the 1920s after a local fruit stand in the neighborhood that was decorated with palm fronds and bamboo. Since its incorporation in 1964, the town has bloomed with a multitude of recreational activities, small businesses and community charm.  

True to the city’s name, artist Felix Quintana showcases Hawaiian Gardens with palm lined streets and joyful everyday life. The local vendors and flora give a nod to the city’s history while images of youth and families point to the vibrancy of the community today. Quintana’s use of cyanotype photography (a 19th-century method that creates blue images using sunlight and iron salts) and collage celebrates the many layers and stories embedded in the city.  

“I was inspired by walking through the city, slowing down, and hearing the sounds of vibrant working-class communities, beautiful native plants and lush landscaping, and witnessing people engage and acknowledge one another,” Quintana says. “Though small in scale, this southeast city is a microcosm of Los Angeles culture and the beauty found within the ubiquity of Southeast LA.” 

Collect your own Hawaiian Gardens poster 

The Hawaiian Gardens poster debuted on Metro’s bus fleet on February 16. It’s available, while supplies last, at all Metro Customer Centers: 

Union Station/ Gateway Transit Customer Center – East Portal 

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Customer Center 

East LA Customer Center 

Wilshire/ Vermont Customer Center 

Rosa Parks Customer Center 

LAX/ Metro Transit Customer Center 

Here’s how to get there 

Go Metro to Hawaiian Gardens – served by our Line 62 bus — and any of the Metro Customer Centers and experience Metro Art, one of the largest collections of public art in the nation along the way! Your destination is accessible via Metro Rail, Metro Bus, Metro Bike Share and several municipal bus lines. Plan your journey using the Transit app, the Moovit app, Google or Apple maps, the trip planner at metro.net, or by calling 323.GO.METRO. 

About Metro Art  

Metro Art enhances the customer experience with innovative, award-winning visual and performing arts that encourages ridership and connects people, neighborhoods and destinations throughout L.A. County. A diverse range of site-specific artworks are integrated into the growing Metro system, improving the quality of transit environments, and creating a sense of place. Follow Metro Art on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. Sign up for the Metro Art email list to learn about upcoming art opportunities, events and exhibitions! 

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