The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is proud to unveil a new bus wrap that encapsulates Juneteenth. Self-taught artist and Illustrator, Sharard Saddlers or Sharard “X”, won the Juneteenth Bus Wrap Contest for his artwork called ‘A Path of Courage, Unity and Love”. (click here for photos of the artist & bus wrap)
“’A Path of Courage, Unity and Love,’ speaks to the African American youth, adolescence and ancestors who came before us paving the way and establishing roads and paths for us to follow and take further,” said Sharard Saddlers.
“Thank you to Sharard for his outstanding artwork,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “The time and effort he put into this piece truly shows, and we hope the community is receptive and reflective of what Juneteenth means. ”
“It’s essential for all to celebrate Juneteenth to not only be happy but be informed of the history of how the holiday started,” added Saddlers. “Knowing where its origins came from, and understanding the culture and history around African Americans will help ease some of the racial tension and misunderstanding we seem to continue to encounter with our fellow citizens in America.”
Saddlers is a graduate of Florida A&M University where he began to fill his free time with sketches and drawings. During the global pandemic, he transitioned to paintings and portraits and began life as an art instructor. He hopes his students learn art to relieve stress.
The design will stretch across an enormous canvas—each side of a PSTA bus is 37 feet long and nearly 9 feet high. Saddler’s design was voted on both internally and externally on social media in April.