Expanding CTA’s unique artwork collection, the agency reveals new art commissioned for the new, fully-accessible stations being reconstructed; new stations to open in late 2025
The Chicago Transit Authority today revealed the new artwork for the four new Red Line stations that are being fully reconstructed as a part of the historic $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project.
Featuring eye-catching, colorful designs that reflect the local neighborhoods around the stations, the unique works of art were created for the new Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations by five award-winning artists hired by CTA following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The new artwork is an expansion of CTA’s growing artwork collection that enhances the overall transit experience and adds unique elements representative of the communities CTA serves.
The artwork will be installed in the new stationhouses, which are expected to open in late 2025. The new stations will be fully accessible with elevators and escalators, wider platforms, new "Train Tracker" digital screens and other signage and amenities.
“We are excited to expand our vast collection of public artwork in the CTA system with five new and original pieces to accompany the new, fully accessible Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr station opening next year,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We thank Tom Torluemke, Mayumi Lake, David Lozano, William Conger and Alice Hargrave for their hard work and vibrant art designs for the historic RPM Phase One project.”
The artwork designs for the new Red Line stations include:
Lawrence main stationhouse
The Theater of Life, smalti-glass mosaic for station corridor wall, and The Ties That Bind, art-glass installation for elevator surround
Artist: Tom Torluemke, Dyer, Indiana
Argyle main stationhouse
Argyle-O-Rama, sheet metal with baked ceramic surface for station corridor wall
Artist: Mayumi Lake, Chicago
Berwyn main stationhouse
Edgewater Mélange; Edgewater Mélange, smalti-mosaic framed by cast ceramic elements for station corridor walls
Artist: David Lozano, Chicago
Bryn Mawr main stationhouse
Today, architectural glass installation for elevator surround and Today, smalti-mosaic for station corridor wall
Artist: William Conger, Chicago
Bryn Mawr - Hollywood auxiliary entrance
Avian Listening, art-glass installations; Lake Calls (elevator surround), Prairie Calls (corridor wall), Nocturnal Night Calls (elevator surround)
Artist: Alice Hargrave, Chicago
The new stations are part of the transformational Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization portion of the RPM Phase One project, which consists of a complete rebuild of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations, including tracks and support structures. Major track and station construction of the 1.3-mile footprint began in 2021 with expected completion in 2025.
The benefits of the new Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations include:
- Larger stations with modern amenities
- ADA accessibility, escalators, elevators and wider platforms
- Better lighting and security features
- Real-time information boards
- Smoother, more reliable train service
- Fewer delays
- Significant decrease in overcrowding on the trains and platforms
- A brighter, cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing pedestrian environment
High-resolution photos of the new public artwork and the new station renderings are available here.
RPM Phase One Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization work: Project status
CTA continues to make significant progress in the final major stage of construction (“Stage B”) of the Lawrence to Bryn Mawr portion of RPM. Stage A, which was be completed in July 2023, rebuilt the northbound Red and Purple line track structures between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr.
Stage B, now under way, will rebuild the southbound Red and Purple Line track structures and build four new, fully accessible Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr. Work on the new stations began in early 2024, with expected completion in 2025.
For more information about the RPM Phase One project, visit transitchicago.com/RPM or follow @CTARPM on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.
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