Subway Art

I must admit at first I was ready to scream as I began Robert Jones’ essay, “Saving the Million Dollar Rocks” (March 1). But instead I was rewarded by a sensible opinion from an admitted skeptic about the importance of publicly funded art in the L.A. Metro system. Having seen much of the art along both Blue and Red Line routes, I have been impressed at the sensitive approach that each of the artists has employed in addressing the social and cultural environments of each neighborhood station.

The art gives us all the opportunity to observe and reflect on something other than the latest headline scandals. These public art projects offer us a daily reminder through the work of some of L.A.’s best artists that our communities, although separated by many obstacles, are infinitely linked by the power of creation.

In the midst of gigantic cost overruns on the rail system, I feel that 0.5% for public art is definitely an idea that is right on track.

BILL THOMPSON

Long Beach

* We are extremely pleased that Jones was moved by the art he saw during his Metro Rail travels and hope that his words encourage others to ride the system.

The headline, however, may have left readers with the misperception that the Vermont/Beverly station sculptures have a $1-million price tag; in fact, the work is anticipated to cost between $300,000 and $500,000. The overall costs for the Hollywood subway art program are expected to be well under the art budget of 0.5% of final rail construction costs.

MAYA EMSDEN, Director

Metro Art, MTA