Staff report
Commuters across Northern Kentucky are invited to experience their daily commute in an entirely new way on Thursday, August 20 during Ride with an Artist Day, when they will be presented with free performances and artistic encounters on TANK buses.
The one-day creative placemaking event is presented by Pones in partnership with Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, and transforms public transit into a space for joy, connection, and belonging through performances at transit hubs, and along neighborhood routes. The event is made possible through funding from the ArtsWave NKY Placemaking Grant.
A decade after their original collaboration, Pones and TANK are partnering again to bring multidisciplinary arts directly to the community. As a dance company dedicated to bringing people together through movement, Pones transforms everyday public spaces into places for creativity and human connection.
Past Ride with an Artist Day performances demonstrated the impact of bringing the arts directly to riders. One participant said, “I don’t care if I miss my stop, I’m going to stay on the whole time you all are on.” A TANK driver recalled, “I looked in the rearview mirror and people were smiling and nodding their heads to the beat.” These moments highlight public transit’s potential as a cultural gathering space.
The expanded program brings artists to multiple TANK routes across Northern Kentucky, with performances and installations inspired by the communities they serve, including dance, live music, and visual art.
“We’re excited to once again welcome local artists aboard TANK buses, bringing creativity, energy, and unexpected moments of joy to our riders,” said Jenny Kammes, marketing manager for TANK. “These performances transform the everyday commute into a unique community experience while celebrating the incredible talent found throughout our region.”
Pones said the event also removes barriers to arts participation. Many TANK riders — including older adults, young adults, people from low-income households, and communities of color — face obstacles to attending traditional arts venues because of cost, transportation, or unfamiliarity. By bringing performances directly onto buses, the project makes the arts part of everyday life.
Throughout the day, riders may encounter artists across several TANK routes, including:
• Route 2X (Amazon Air/Airport) – Pones dancers, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
• Route 25 (interlined with Route 1) – Pones dancers, 1–2 p.m.
• Route 1 (Dixie Highway Corridor: Cincinnati–Florence) – Live music featuring Preston Bell Charles III and Nick Rose, 2–3 p.m.
• Route 7 (Madison Avenue/Latonia, Covington) – Live music featuring Siri Imani and Jess Lamb, 4–5 p.m.
• Three buses (routes TBD) will feature installation artwork by visual artists Lindsey Whittle and Radha Lakshmi, Devan Horton and Ethan Machell, and Emily Moores.