Silver Spring
Colesville Road underpass.
Penguin Rush Hour, 2016 (1989)
Sally Callmer Thompson
Digitally printed graphics on aluminum panels
100' l x 8' h
The 100-foot mural, created by Sally Callmer Thompson, is a whimsical depiction of penguin commuters rushing through the Metro station and boarding Metro trains -briefcases and fare cards in hand. The artist chose penguins because of the minimal colors, recognizable shapes, and readability of the design by commuters viewing the work while traveling, and from a distance.
Penguin Rush Hour was the winner of a public art contest conducted in 1988 by WMATA and was initially to be displayed at the newly opened station for one year. Originally painted on wood panels, the artwork became damaged by the elements over the years and was removed in 2004. The public's great response to the artwork led Metro and Montgomery County to work on a solution to display the mural at the station more permanently. Penguin Rush Hour was refurbished and replicated on aluminum panels and returned to its original location in 2017.
This project was funded in part by the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County and is on loan to WMATA.