MTA unveils bus wrapped in artwork from Baltimore painter to celebrate Pride

For the Maryland Transit Administration, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community won’t just begin and end in June. On Monday, the MTA, in partnership with the Maryland State Arts Council, launched a newly designed Pride bus that will travel throughout the Baltimore region over the next year.

Alongside the agency’s two existing Pride buses, which are wrapped in traditional pride stripe colors, the new bus showcases artwork by local artist Joan Cox.

With more than 30 other pieces in the running, the judges selected two of Cox’s paintings to be featured on either side of the bus. “Side by Side” is a portrait of married activists Billie Parker and Gay Block, and “Love in the Shade” depicts two women of color holding each other in a garden.

The full version of “Side by Side” is currently on view in Frederick at The Delaplaine Arts Center, as part of the 2026 National Juried Exhibition through July 12.

Cox, whose art focuses on lesbians, said having her work appear on the bus made her feel “so validated as an artist in Baltimore.”

“All my work is about bringing the emotional quality of the relationship to the forefront,” said Cox. “I hope people really connect with it and see themselves on the bus.”

MTA Administrator Holly Arnold said the collaboration with the MSAC and Cox will bring its message of inclusion and unity to every neighborhood the bus travels through.

“Public transit connects people to their jobs, their families and their communities, but it can also connect us to art and be a source of inspiration,” Arnold said in a news release.

The MTA is also giving commuters the chance to ride in style by releasing a special merchandise collection at its online store with pride-themed apparel and gear.

There will be a full week of Pride events in the city from June 8-14. On Saturday, during the Baltimore City Pride Parade, spectators can watch the MTA’s traditional Pride bus during the procession. The city’s celebrations will wrap up with the Pride festival in Druid Hill Park, which will feature music, live performances and food vendors.