Submit artwork to Mrs. Shelton by Monday, June 1st.
Metra is proud to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Electrification of the Illinois Central Railroad, now recognized as the Metra Electric Line, and we are inviting your school to be part of this historic milestone in a unique way.
As part of our anniversary celebration, we are launching the Next Generation of Power: A Children’s Art Program to help beautify stations. We are excited to share that your school has been selected to participate in this initiative, as it is located in close proximity to the line and plays an important role in the communities we serve.
We are requesting 2 to 3 student electric train art submissions that depict the 100th Anniversary of the Electrification from your school to be displayed at one of 3 locations on the historic Metra Electric Line: Millennium, Van Buren Street, or 55th 56th 57thStreet stations. The selected artwork will be transformed and showcased in the station from August through November 2026.
This is more than an art display; it is an opportunity to highlight the creativity and imagination of the next generation while honoring a century of transportation history that has helped shape our region. Participating allows your students to leave a visible and lasting impression in the community as a reflection of their pride.
For privacy, students may sign their artwork using first name and grade.
Each school may determine its own internal selection process for choosing the artwork submissions. Whether through a classroom project, art club initiative, or school-wide contest, we welcome your creativity in how you bring this to life.
In addition, schools and students with submitted artwork will be formally recognized at Metra’s 100th Year Anniversary Celebration on July 23, 2026. A formal invitation will follow once artwork is received.