Transit District Issues Selfie Schtick Challenge in April

St. Clair County Transit District Challenging Residents to Capture Their Fun along MetroBikeLink Trail

The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) teamed up with Art on the Square, UMB Bank, and local architect-artist Gary Karasek to bring art to life along eleven miles of the MetroLink and MetroBikeLink trail in St. Clair County.  Sponsored by UMB Bank, Rails, Trails, and Art is a series of vibrant, moving Shtick People Sculptures that have been installed along the trail for the enjoyment of walkers, bikers and transit users in Southwestern, IL.  This April, the St. Clair County Transit District will be bringing those Schtick People to life as a part of the Selfie Schtick Challenge.

The District is challenging residents and visitors alike to head out to the MetroBikeLink trail to capture their fun along with the new Schtick People Art.   Schtick Selfies can be submitted between April 1 – May 1, 2019 to the SCCTD on its social media sites (Facebook/Twitter) or to info@cmt-stl.org.   A panel of Art on the Square judges will select the winners who will be honored at the May 11 Ribbon Cutting event at the Belleville MetroLink Station at 10 a.m.  Winners will be notified in advance and will receive $50 in Art on the Square Bucks from Art on the Square for the art festival the following weekend.

“Art is a key component of activating the spaces around transit in Southwestern IL,” said Herb Simmons, St. Clair County Transit District Board Chair. “We were honored to have the opportunity to work with UMB Bank, Art on the Square and Gary to bring this element to our multi-modal system in this community.  These sculptures will engage all users of our system from 8 to 80. Part of activating a space is activating all the senses, and this 11 mile installation provides a community amenity for all residents. We now hope to take that activation one step further with our Selfie Schtick contest.”

Many of the pieces depict Schtick people in active movement.  The SCCTD encourages residents to get active along the MetroBikeLink trail and hopes to see those activities captured in the selfies to help bring the trail to life.   The Schtick Selfies will be used in future SCCTD promotional campaigns.   The District reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason. In addition, climbing on the Schtick People is not permitted.