Art and Heart on Wheels: Inside the GRITS Party Bus

You see them driving around town, and maybe you've even been a passenger on one. GRITS transportation buses are a service provided by Audubon Area and a variety of state and federal departments. The Green River Intra-county Transit System is what that acronym stands for, and it gets folks where they need to go for little or no cost.

The GRITS "Party Bus"

My friend Will Evans is a driver for GRITS, and for the last three years, a lot of his passengers have been clients at the Opportunity Center. "We like to rock out, so they started calling it The Party Bus. One day, one of my passenger buddies told me they had a mini Party Bus (artwork), and asked if I would tape it up."

Art Makes People Happy

Another fun fact about Will is that he is an artist and an active promoter of the Owensboro art scene. From the weekly Friday night 2nd Street Fam Jam sidewalk chalk masterpieces or painting downtown windows at Christmas to the Estes Bulldog Art Camp in the summer. His passion is seeing art make people happy and seeing people happy while making art.

Art Gallery on Wheels

Will isn't just a bus driver, an artist, and a community leader. He's also an incredible encourager. So when he was asked to hang said artwork in the Party Bus, of course, he said "yes." As you can imagine, it wasn't long before others brought their artwork to add to the new art gallery on wheels.

Every week or so, a new masterpiece makes it on the wall. Will's goal is to cover all of the empty space with beautiful pictures. He shared, "This year at Estes Bulldog Art Camp, I told some of the kids about The Party Bus and many of them gladly donated art to the cause!!"  The Opportunity Center folks also made and delivered lunch one day for all of the campers.

Spreading Joy Around Town

How sweet is that? The world needs more of this kind of collaboration and inclusion. "There's artwork but also homemade get-well-soon cards, birthday wishes, and positive messages. And other passengers always ask about them, telling me to tell my art buddies they did a great job. Super uplifting. Especially on 'meh' days."

A Big Thank You

I totally understand! Sometimes it's those little things that can put a smile on your face when nothing else will. The Opportunity Center posted on their Facebook page about how meaningful The Party Bus is:

Their Art Will Always Be Here

Shew wee! Anyone else's "allergies acting up?" For Will, this project has become special for so many reasons. "I've had many friends come and go on The Party Bus, but their art will always be here," he said. I hope this story inspires us all to do what we can where we are to make our community a brighter, happier place.

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How to Schedule a GRITS Ride in Owensboro

Here is information for scheduling GRITS Transportation, should you need it. You might just get lucky and end up rolling on The Party Bus.

Scheduling times for scheduling appointments
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm CST
Saturday
8:00am - 1:00pm CST

GRITS Office
Service Hours
Monday - Friday
6:00am - 8:00pm CST
Saturday
8:00am - 1:00pm CST

222 St. Elizabeth St.
Owensboro, KY 42301
Phone: 270-686-1651
Phone: 800-816-3511