Beyond the Bus

Steph Joy Hogan, a visual storyteller and a vivid 2D mixed-media artist, illustrates a natural blend of her own imagination and inspiration from other worlds. Even though she always considered herself an artist and studied art at university, it wasn’t until age 40 when she took her work more seriously and became a professional artist.

Hogan brings to life a piece from her Scrapscapes series, inspired by her love of space, science fiction, animals and children’s imaginations. The quirky and whimsy children’s stories fuel her passion to create art that invites curiosity and wonder.

Having previously shown her artwork through the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and their partnership with CATA, she was given the opportunity to feature some of her artwork on the bus.

“Creating connection and sharing joy (it is my middle name after all!) are what drive me to create.  I've been so fortunate in finding opportunities to brighten our community with my work, but even with my over-active imagination I never dreamed I'd see my artwork gliding around town at so large a scale!” Hogan said.

As a Lansing native who grew up riding CATA buses, this collaboration is a dream come true. She hopes her art on wheels inspires the community to widen their imagination and let their sense of wonder lead them to dream.

“My aim is to create connection with artwork that energizes spaces and fuels imaginations. I want the work to spark curiosity in the viewer. Everything moves so fast today. I want them to be left with just a moment of wonder,” Hogan added.

According to Hogan, art has been a comforting and meditative medium that calms her ADHD brain. Through her artistry, she is always on the search for deeper and more meaningful connections.

“I'm a very social person but haven't always found it easy to really connect with people more than superficially. Sharing my artwork at in-person events like art festivals has given me the chance to find real kindred spirits who connect with the stories I'm sharing through my artwork.  I know them immediately when I see them react to my work and it reminds me, I'm not alone!”

Her artwork goes beyond her inner self. She seeks to invite the viewers along for the ride in capturing her unique interpretation of the world as she strives to make sense of it.

“For me, art is not only a means of self-expression, but a way to understand the people and places around me. Art is communication and connection. It's storytelling, our human story, and really the essence of humanity in so many ways,” Hogan said.

Hogan’s creative journey hopes to bring out the quirky, unusual and surprising aspects of life. She envisions her art being a source of inspiration and connection to spark more meaningful and important conversations within the Greater Lansing community.

Escape to an imaginary world by keeping an eye out for Steph Joy Hogan’s out-of-this-world artwork on one of CATA’s buses. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA’s partnership have helped display Capital City Region’s local art scene through the Art in Motion campaign.  

Related Links: 

• CATA unveils ‘Art in Motion’ initiative in partnership with Arts Council
• Arts Council of Greater Lansing 
  • Art in the Sky Billboard Project 
• Other Art in Motion Stories 
  • Elyse Gambino 
  • Daniel J. Hogan
  • Lucy A. Synk 
  • ​Jennifer Taggart Wilson 

Naung Naung Htoo, a dedicated advocate for rural farmers from Yangon, Myanmar, is making strides in agriculture. His participation in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) has not only expanded his understanding of sustainable practices but also deepened his involvement with organizations like the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

The YSEALI is a fellowship between the U.S. government and Southeast Asia to strengthen leadership development and networking through a variety of programs. “International exchanges are an important part of fostering understanding and cooperation between countries,” said Nate Engle, Director of Community Engagement of the MDARD. “…to host young professionals, facilitate learning about things done in the state and in local communities to make places and quality of life better for citizens while offering educational moments so that a YSEALI fellow can take ideas back to their own country and contribute to further development, at home.”

During his time in Michigan, Htoo collaborated with MDARD on climate action strategies, particularly learning about their Climate Next Steps initiative. “These strategies aim to enhance sustainability and reduce agriculture’s environmental impact, offering ideas that could be adapted to my work in Myanmar,” he explained. This hands-on experience has equipped him with valuable insights into balancing agricultural productivity with environmental protection.

It's not just his work with agriculture that stands out—his experience navigating Lansing using CATA has transformed his daily life. “Using the public bus system allowed me to navigate the city without the need for a personal vehicle,” Htoo shared. He found the organized routes and reliable schedules to be a stress-free way to reach meetings and explore local attractions.

Htoo compared his experiences with public transport back home to those in Lansing. “Lansing’s system feels more user-friendly, with clear signage and well-maintained vehicles,” he said, contrasting it with the less structured and often overcrowded buses in Myanmar. “While public transportation is affordable in Myanmar, it can be less reliable and is still developing in many areas.”

Certain CATA routes, particularly those connecting Michigan State University and downtown Lansing, have proven especially useful for him. The Transit app, which tracks schedules and provides real-time updates, has made his experience even smoother. “This technology made my experience with public transportation easier, especially as someone new to Lansing,” Htoo explained.

Using CATA has not only improved his mobility but also enriched his understanding of the Lansing community. “Traveling alongside local residents helped me gain insight into their daily lives and the vibrant culture of the city,” he said. Through these experiences, Naung has come to appreciate the importance of efficient public transport systems in fostering community engagement and sustainability.

Naung Naung Htoo’s journey highlights the impact of accessible transportation on both personal and professional growth. His experience with CATA and MDARD reflects how public transit can empower individuals to explore new environments, connect with communities, and ultimately contribute to meaningful change.

For Elyse Gambino, art is more than just a profession—it's a lifeline. During challenging times, it has been a source of solace.  “It has been the one thing that’s always been with me… it has been a lifeline in that, in my darkest periods like Covid and just kind of the untethered nothingness, I tethered myself to something very specific,” said Gambino.

It's not just about showcasing her talent but also about sparking joy and curiosity in everyday life. She believes that art has the power to transform mundane moments into something special, making public spaces more vibrant and engaging. 

Her inspiration often comes from the Rust Belt, where the blend of old and new elements profoundly influences her creative direction. She finds beauty in unexpected places and incorporates humor into her work, making it relatable and enjoyable for everyone. The pandemic also shifted her focus, leading her to create more colorful and absurd pieces, including vibrant depictions of drag queens.

Trained in drawing and painting, Gambino is moving towards a new medium to bring her ideas to life that is fueled by her desire to explore new creative possibilities and bring art into unconventional spaces. 

“I have been in an exciting transition space of moving toward working in exclusively fiber, but it still feels to me like it’s drawing and painting. So, thread feels like a drawn line, and layers of transparent fabric feels like layers of paint,” said Gambino.

Gambino, finds immense inspiration in connecting with the community through her art. Her artwork is featured on billboards and a CATA bus moving across the region. This unique approach allows her to reach a broader audience, encouraging people to slow down and truly appreciate the beauty around them. 

“I think we are so encouraged to be extremely busy and to be on the go…artwork, even if it’s moving, can encourage people to slow down and to listen and notice…and that’s when we get back to, like, connecting to each other as humans,” said Gambino.

Through her featured piece featured billboards and buses, Gambino continues to inspire and engage the community, proving that art can thrive in the most unexpected places and bring people together in appreciation of the world around them.

Catch one of Elyse Gambino’s bubbly pieces of art on one of CATA’s buses. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA’s partnership showcases Capital City Region’s local artists through the Art in Motion campaign.

Related Links: 

• CATA unveils ‘Art in Motion’ initiative in partnership with Arts Council
• Arts Council of Greater Lansing 
  • Art in the Sky Billboard Project 
• Other Art in Motion Stories  
  • Daniel J. Hogan 
  • Steph Joy Hogan
  • Lucy A. Synk 
  • Jennifer Taggart Wilson